Skip to content ↓

KS3 Humanities

Course Outline

Students gain skills in using various forms of evidence, both primary and secondary and are able to use these make inferences and judgments about historical events. Pupils will learn how critical historical decisions influenced and changed lives, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. Pupils will also learn how historical events helped to shape the political structure of a country and its identity. Importantly pupils studying this course will be asked how certain historical events have created a legacy and shaped their lives. Where possible we will study the local context (Waltham Forest and London) to increase relevance.

Geography studied for one term, will focus mainly on Human elements, exploring how phenomena such as migration, urbanisation and de-forestation affect lives either positively or negatively. We then take time to compare and contrast within a local context. Pupils will be actively encouraged to learn about people, traditions and cultures within different countries.

Term
Class 1 / Class 2 / Class 3

Autumn 1
  • The British Empire and Slavery
  • Understanding how Empire has Shaped and Influenced Modern British Society

Autumn 2
  • The Industrial Revolution
  • Victorian Britain – Exploring Society and Living Conditions. Local/London Context

Spring 1
  • Events Leading to World War Two
  • World War Two and how this shaped Britain and London

Spring 2
  • Jewish Life Before the Rise of the Nazis in Germany
  • The Persecution of the Jews (Holocaust)

Summer 1
  • Mapping Skills and Introduction to Brazil
  • Urbanisation

Summer 2
  • Life in a Flavela
  • How Developed is Brazil?
Assessment and feedback

All students are given a base-line assessment in English  on Entry. This will help the Humanities department to produce more individualised programs of study taking into consideration their competency in literacy.  Each lesson will involve question and answer sessions to make dynamic formative assessments in addition to marking being undertaken after each lesson. It is absolutely imperative that you actively encourage your son/daughter to engage in dialogue with the class teacher and respond to comments made.

Formative Assessments

Guidance advice and next steps marking. Pupils are encouraged to respond using a purple pen after each lesson

Summative Assessments 

End of topic test (5-10 questions).

Other forms of  Assessment  include:
  • Role Play
  • Starter questions
  • Plenaries
  • Peer marking
Feedback:
Student weekly outcome sheet:
  • Differentiated target based questions
  • Target setting
  • Weekly learning objectives  
How parents/carers can help:
  • Encourage your son/daughter to watch documentaries and history/geography channels on TV
  • Where possible visit places on historical and geographical interest in London. These are often easily accessible and free of charge
  • Support school trips to places of history
  • Encourage a curiosity in history and the world around them.
Links to online resources: