Curriculum

Humanities: History, RE & Geography

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History

What we are trying to achieve with students

The department sets out to broaden students' understanding of history from prehistoric times to the modern day. In the process, students learn a multitude of key historical concepts and skills. We strive to enable students to effectively deploy these skills, thereby improving levels of communication and critical analysis.

The courses we run

During Key Stage 3, students learn to identify important terms and develop historical skills. During the first year, study areas include the Romans, the Saxons and Norman Conquest, and two unsolved mysteries. In Year 8 the focus switches to the Tudor and Stuart monarchies, the Industrial Revolution and Black Peoples of the Americas. Studies in Year 9 again focus upon a controversial mystery, "Who shot Kennedy?" There are also units on the First and Second World Wars.

The GCSE course focuses upon Germany 1919-1945 and the development of Medicine Through Time. Coursework units require an in-depth study of the Cold War and the Vietnam War.

Sixth form students study Russia 1855 - 1917 and Britain 1929 - 1951 at AS Level. The focus of the A2 unit is to take student knowledge virtually up to present day. At A2 Russia 1917 - 1991 and Britain 1951 - 1997, provide the focus.

Items of particular interest

Visits are an important part of the learning experience within the department. GCSE orientated visits to Kelvedon Hatch Neclear Bunker and a medicine drama production are an annual event. Furthermore, Key Stage 3 students have the opportunity to visit the WWI battlefields around Ypres or the landing D-Day beaches at Normandy. Both are residential trips.

RE

Religious education at Great Baddow High School reflects the diversity of religious, social, cultural and moral beliefs inherent in Great Britain today and follows closely the Essex agreed syllabus "Open Worlds".

At Key Stage 3, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism are integral parts of the programmes of study and all pupils in years 7 and 8 receive either one or two lessons of religious education per week. In year 9 pupils receive two lessons per week. At Key Stage 4, religious education forms part of the personal, social and religious education programme (SPRE). In addition, there is an option to take religious studies for the GCSE. In Key Stage 5, religious education forms part of the general studies programme and there is the option to take religious studies to advanced level. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and should consult the headmaster if they wish to exercise this right. Alternative arrangements will be made for those lesson periods.

Geography

What we are trying to achieve with students

Students need to understand the world in which they live. It is our aim to enable them to do that, by developing in them an enquiring mind and an appreciation of modern concepts such as sustainable development and world citizenship.

The courses we run

In Key Stage 3, following a module entitled Introducing Geography, students learn about people and places, the environment, work and industry, physical geography, weather and climate, resources and sustainable development. They also learn about countries such as Japan, Brazil and France.

In GCSE, there are four units. They involve studies of the ways people relate to the environment, water and landforms, places, work and development. Students also complete two coursework assignments - The Essex Coast and Housing Development in Chelmsford.

GCE AS and A level courses offer students opportunities to study physical and human geography, together with research into (a) pollution and (b) the geography of sport and leisure. The course also develops students' skills in the analysis of issues, problem-solving and decision-making.

Items of particular interest

Students have the chance to participate in a number of field visits, both locally and in different parts of the United Kingdom.