Geography
Geography is the most important subject that a student can learn. Why make such a bold claim? Simply, it is the only subject which allows students to draw together everything they learn in school to be able to interpret the physical and human characteristics of the world in which they live.
Geography allows students to explore and interpret the world around them and recognise their value in society.
Through their time at Manor School, students will learn about a very wide range of physical and human geography which will increase in complexity, allowing them to make connections between the two and become the best versions of themselves.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Information
Students learn about a wide variety of physical and human geographical process, events and issues, including how rivers, coasts and natural disasters shape the world around us, while the theories of urban development, superpowers and sustainability will create our futures.
Students will be taken on a journey through the continents over the course of the first three years, allowing them to make comparisons between different places and deepen their understanding of contrasting locations.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Information
Students will be following the Edexcel Geography B course. This includes three main areas of study: Global Geography, UK Geography, and People and Environment Issues.
Students will explore a wide range of topics including volcanoes and earthquakes, hurricanes, development, urbanisation, rivers and coasts, UK geology, regeneration, ecosystems, energy and sustainability.
This will allow students to have a wide breadth and depth of knowledge to explore the wider world and continue studies into A level.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum Information
Students follow the Edexcel Geography A level course, including a wide range of physical and human geographical themes and topics. Students will deepen their understanding of the issues explored at GCSE to make connections between these topic areas.
In addition to the themes explored at GCSE in greater depth, students will also study cold environments, water insecurity, carbon security, superpowers and identity and sovereignty.
Finally, students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning through a piece of coursework on a chosen theme which will involve conducting their own fieldwork and interpreting and evaluating the results
Enrichment
Students will have the opportunity to take part in different fieldwork activities, both on the school site and further afield. Examples include sampling and field sketches on site, as well as fieldwork in urban and coastal locations. At A level there is increased independence, so the limit of fieldwork is only the student’s imagination!
In addition to this, other opportunities exist linked to geography, such as Eco-Schools with which many students play an active role, and is strongly linked with the World aspect of the Work World Wellness curriculum.
Curriculum Leader name and email address
Culture & Ethics
In Culture and Ethics, all students are given opportunities to explore their own beliefs and values as well as becoming more informed about those of others. Students acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of a range of religious and non-religious life stances and develop respect and sensitivity so that, as future citizens, they will value and celebrate cultural and religious diversity.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Information
The Key Stage 3 curriculum in Culture and Ethics is designed to introduce students to the concepts of religion and beliefs. There are opportunities to study a range of moral, ethical and religious issues as a grounding for further work later in the school. Students have opportunities to share their views while examining the views of others, both religious and secular.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Information
All students continue to explore a range of moral, ethical and religious issues at Key Stage 4 as part of the core curriculum. Students have opportunities to share their views while examining the views of others, both religious and secular. Students are expected to be able to demonstrate attributes such as empathy, tolerance and humanity.
GCSE Religious Studies is optional at Key Stage 4 and follows the AQA ‘specification A’ course. It is designed to help students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by exploring philosophical and ethical questions. Students will be challenged to explore the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, practices and ways of life as well as studying key religious texts. Students will also be encouraged to express personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions and issues about meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments. At GCSE level students are required to study two religions; we have opted to study Christianity and Buddhism.
Enrichment
Students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of different cultural and ethical issues through visiting speakers and visits to different places of worship.
Specific examples include visiting speakers from different faith communities speaking to students during lesson time, as well as the Year 10 ‘Faiths Day’ where students learn about a range of religious, faith-based and non-religious viewpoints.
Furthermore, students will also deepen their knowledge and understanding of different cultures and ethics, particularly through the ‘World’ aspect of the Work World Wellness curriculum.
Curriculum Leader name and email address : Jonathan Andrews