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.

Each department has carefully developed curriculum plans in line with our curriculum intent. The curriculum overview for each year group in this subject can be found below.