KS3 Geography

Geography is all around you; online, on the TV and on the street where you live. It is very relevant to the rapidly changing world in which we live and should help you to develop into an aware and responsible citizen. It challenges you with the important issues facing the world today, such as the environment, pollution, global warming, population growth, development, housing and crime. During Year 8 and Year 9 learners will investigate a mixture of human and physical geography.

Year 8 – Learners will investigate settlement, rivers, weather and climate, development, Wales and ecosystems.

Year 9 – Hazardous Earth, Geography of Crime, country study of Japan, Coasts and Population.

KS4 Geography

Learners study a wide range of topics. Physical Geography topics include rivers, coasts, tectonic hazards, climate change, weather and eco systems. Human Geography topics include: Population rural/urban areas and development. An important focus is the study of the connections between human and physical processes. Learners will be given the opportunity to develop their geographical skills through two fieldwork enquiries. During the fieldtrips learners will spend time out of the classroom and exploring the environment around us (completing a river and urban study).

KS3 History

Learning about past events and the people who’ve influenced history will allow learners to understand how the world got to the point it’s at now and how it will continue to develop in the future. Within lessons there is a focus on learning about key historical events, evaluating sources of evidence, debating, presenting an argument and overturning stereotypical viewpoints with a specific focus on improving literacy skills.

Year 8- Learners investigate the Change and Conflict in Wales and Britain and the wider world. This includes topics such as the crusades, the Tudors, the New World, slavery, civil war and a Welsh history study.

Year 9- Learners will investigate how some twentieth century individuals and events have shaped our world today. This includes topics such as the Titanic, World War One, the Suffragettes, Hitler and the Nazis, World War Two and the Holocaust.

KS4 History (GCSE)

This course further develops learner’s knowledge and understanding of how past events have impacted upon society in the long and short term.

Apart from studying a wide range of interesting topics, learners develop a range of skills including:

• excellent communication and writing skills

• how to construct an argument

• research and problem skills

• investigation and problem-solving skills

• analytical and interpretation skills.

NEA (Non examined source work assessment completed in class) on Jack the Ripper 20%

Unit 1 – Depression, War and Recovery in Wales and Britain, examined 25%

Unit 2 – The USA, a Nation of Contrasts 1910-29, 25%

Unit 3 – Medicine Through Time, 25%

KS5 History (A level)

Studying A-Level History develops learner’s knowledge of the past and gain skills that are invaluable in many jobs. Some of these skills include analysing, researching, communication and problem-solving. Topics include

Unit 1 – Politics, Progress and People in Wales and England 1880 - 1980

Unit 2 – Weimar and its challenges, 1918 - 33

Unit 3 – Tudor Poverty and Rebellions

Unit 4 – Nazi Germany, 1933 – 45

Unit 5 – NEA, this is an extended piece of work that examines historical interpretations on a specific topic of the learner’s choice, internally assessed

Key Stage 3 - RS

Year 8 – Learners will look at the theme of Moses and how this leads into the Jewish festival of Passover. Studies on Churches includes what you would find inside the church and what happens at a christening. After that learners look at some famous religious people such as Martin Luther king Gandhi and mother Teresa. Learners will also study different Eastern religions including Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. Finally, learners will look at rules within religion and how they affect people's lives.

Year 9 - In year 9 learners have a moral issues unit where we look at topics such as abortion, euthanasia, crime and punishment. We consider religion in the media and develop our oracy skills through discussions. Before starting the GCSE course, year 9 undertake a topic looking at the nature of God and how god is seen in different religions.

Key Stage 4 – RS

In key stage 4 learners study for the WJEC GCSE. Our chosen religions are Christianity and Buddhism. We look at beliefs, values and traditions in those two religions in year 10, and in year 11 our two themes are "life and death", and "the value of life." In these two units we look at topics such as life after death, forgiveness, creation, abortion, organ donation and genetic engineering.

KS5 Level 3 Criminology

During the first year learners study two Certificate units. Within these units learners look at different types of crime and public perceptions of crime, gaining an understanding of why some crimes go unreported to the police and media. The second Certificate unit, through its focus on a series of criminological theories, also allows learners to gain an understanding of why people commit crimes. During the second year of the course, the Diploma units look at the criminal justice system and develop the skills needed to examine criminal cases and review verdicts. Learners look at the roles of personnel and processes involved from the moment a crime takes place until the verdict itself is passed. In the final unit, learners apply knowledge of criminological theories to understand how and why we use punishment within the criminal justice system in order to achieve social control. This course is 50% controlled assessment internally assessed and 50% examination.