The Social Science Department covers a rich diversity of subjects which all help students delve deeper into their own beliefs and values as well as enquiring into a number of other world views. All students in key stage 3 will have compulsory Ethics and Character Education lessons once per week.

The Ethics and Character Education curriculum has been designed to cover key aspects of religious studies, ethics, character education and relationship and sex education. Although all learning is age appropriate, students will continuously recap key themes of learning and very important points (VIPs) to ensure that all knowledge is embedded and meaningful to their life’s. Students accessing this curriculum will also be well prepared with the skills and knowledge needed to be able to actively analyse and question a number of important global issues and become resilient and active citizens within the UK.

Each term students will have one key knowledge test and one key piece assessment; additionally, each year group will have further exams across all subject areas. Through our frequent testing of very important points, the continual practice of writing and the use of expressive arts, teaching staff will be able to monitor individual progress and assess any additional curriculum needs to ensure students feel supported within their lessons. This will allow students not only to progress academically, but to develop personally as well; through self-reflection, investigation and the expression of culture, thought and spirituality.

Key stage 4 students within the Social Science Department have the choice of both GCSE and BTEC subjects which offer a wide range of challenge for students of all abilities. Students will nurture the skills developed throughout key stage 3 and further advance their evaluative skills through analytic writing, debate and enquiry.

The topics listed below are not studied in isolation. A whole range of topics / issues are also interwoven throughout all schemes, as well as allowing time for creative and expressive self-reflection and personal growth.

 Year 7

• Christianity, Islam & Hinduism – an introductory study into the key beliefs and practices of the 3 of the world’s largest religions.
• Identity and Relationships – a study into our own values and the building of healthy relationships.
• What is so radical about Jesus? – An investigation into who Jesus was.
• What is good and what is challenging about being a teenage Muslim in Britain – An investigation into British Islam.

Year 8

• Changing Lives – A study of gang culture and religious conversion.
• Global Issues – An investigation into human rights and issues people face around the world.
• I-heart – Student wellbeing and resilience training.
• Religion through the Arts – An investigation into how art, music and dance can be used to express religious belief.

Year 9

• Peace and Conflict – Students will study the events of the Holocaust before further exploring the themes of peace and conflict in the modern world
• Does God Exist – An in-depth analysis and critique of the arguments surrounding the existence of God.
• Relationships and Sex Education – students will be introduced into statutory content surrounding safe sex, gender identity and healthy relationships.
• Marriage and the Family – An in-depth ethical study into viewpoints surrounding family planning, marriage and family life.
• Prevent – An investigation into modern radicalisation and the importance of preventing extremism.

Ethics and Character Education is taught in KS3 and supports option choices at KS4 in:

• Citizenship
• Health and Social Care
• Sociology

GCSE Citizenship Studies is about how people take an active part in democratic politics and work together for a better society, locally, nationally and globally.  Students will learn about power, democracy, the operation of government and the legal system, and the role of the UK in the wider world. They will explore and learn about different controversial and topical issues with political, social, ethical, economic and environmental dimensions in local to global contexts.

GCSE Sociology is designed to foster in learners an understanding and critical awareness of the social world around them. The curriculum focuses on the importance of social structure in explaining social issues. Students will be encouraged to explore and debate contemporary social issues to enable them to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and to question their everyday understanding of social phenomena.

BTEC Health and Social Care focusses on preparing students for careers in the health sector; be that midwifery, nursing, care practitioner etc. Students will be encouraged to explore key areas of health and wellbeing as well as a number of factors that impact individual life circumstances. Students will also take time to consider the values needed to successfully work alongside others in such an important area of life.