Humanities

Intention:

At New Oaks, our mission is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child, regardless of their abilities, is empowered to reach their full potential. We are dedicated to fostering a community that celebrates diversity. Through our humanities curriculum, with a strong focus on geography and history, we aim to cultivate critical thinking, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding of the world and its past. We are offering an engaging humanities curriculum that includes interactive lessons, projects, trips, immersing students in the study of geography, and history. Students will also explore geography and history by examining current calendar events, making their learning more relevant to what is happening in the world around them.

Implementation

• • Geography: In order to develop an integrated understanding of Geography, children use geographical enquiry and skills when developing the aspects of geographical knowledge and understanding. We use topic cycles that involve the development of children’s geographical understanding, knowledge, and skills about locations and places, both physical and human aspects. Activities include differentiated practical projects about the environment, looking at similarities and differences in the world around us, and involving pupils in caring about the surroundings. Pupils discover that Geography is enjoyable by exploring, observing, investigating, and having fun. They look at the world around them throughout the seasons, experiencing a variety of different weather. Pupils explore all aspects of Geography in a multisensory way, developing a factual base of information about the world and the local community to learn about the importance of maps and atlases, and to gain a wider experience of the world around us.
  • History: In order to develop an integrated understanding of History, children have opportunities to visit historic sites and learn about the past to understand the present. At New Oaks Primary School, direct experience is more powerful and memorable for children. Pupils research the locality of our school, developing social awareness through the study of past societies and events, and understanding the experiences of peoples of varying religious, ethnic, and cultural traditions. Multicultural understanding is promoted by providing children the opportunity to explore the history of Britain and the wider world. Children develop their historical imagination by listening to narratives of storytellers from our school community and learn about changes in their own lives, the way of life of their family and others around them, and the lives of people in the more distant past who lived locally or elsewhere in Britain. Beyond the school gates, History and Geography are used to help our children explore the local area, including parks, buildings, shops, and the local church, offering a lived experience of the humanities subjects.

Impact

Our students thrive in an environment that respects and values their unique qualities. They gain confidence, develop critical life skills, and build meaningful relationships. Through our comprehensive humanities program, with a focus on geography and history, students gain a deeper understanding of the world, past and present, fostering empathy, cultural awareness, and informed citizenship. Our holistic approach ensures that every child is prepared for a successful future, both academically and personally.