Humanities

The Humanities include Geography, History, Religion, Values and Ethics, Business Studies and Social Studies. This Field can instil a sense of wonder, rouse imagination and inspire learners to grow in knowldege, understanding and wisdom. This Field inspiries learners to be involved in the most important matters facing humanity, including sustainability and social change, and helps to develop the skills they need in order to interpret and describe the future and the past.

In Year 7, learners study 3 units:

1. Wales: In this unit we study Welsh history from Llywelyn’s period to today; we study this wonderful country’s Geography and look at the different Religions / Cultures that exist in Wales. The Unit is assessed through learners working in groups and creating an iMovie which promotes and celebrates Wales for the rest of the world.
   

2. Refugees: The Learners’ Voice is very important to us in the Humanities, and there was a request to undertake a unit of work on Refugees. We look at Syria’s Geography and the History of the Civil War. As well as this, we look at values, ethics and rights. This unit is assessed by arranging a Regufee Celebration Festival in groups.

3. Plastics: This unit is extremely relevant to the current world. In this unit, we look at ethics and values. We also look at the effect of plastic on our world, and also at a local level. An important element of this unit is clearing a local beach as part of part of our studies. This unit is assessed through a Fish’s Monologue.

Geography

In year 8, the pupils start with a unit on weather and climate. There will be an opportunity to go outside to measure the weather around the school as part of the first assessment task, as well as a study on dangerous weather such as hurricanes. In the second unit, we study Kenya and look at tourism there. Does tourism in Kenya have a good or bad impact on the country? Lastly, there will be an opportunity to study Brazil. What kind of place is the rainforest, and why do so much of the population live in favelas? At the end of the year, a group of pupils will have an opportunity to go on a walking and kayaking trip in the Rhoscolyn area.

In year 9, we begin with a unit on natural risks, focussing on tectonic risks like earthquakes and the Japan tsunami in 2011. Then, we will study one of the world’s biggest challenges – climate change – looking at the cause and effect of climate change. Then, they will have an opportunity to complete a project on a geographic theme of their choice. If they choose Geography, at the end of the year there will be a trip to Cwm Idwal to see the impact of people on the area.