Humanities

Religious Studies

When I started Northgate 15 years ago, I covered an RE lesson and this made me realise that it was a subject I enjoyed and wanted to learn more about. After qualifying as I teacher, I was given the opportunity to coordinate the subject and develop it further.

I have always enjoyed learning about religion,  and how religion and faith fit into modern society.  I enjoy talking to those who believe, in order to further my own knowledge,  so that I can implement what I learn into the classroom. RE can be taken to a lot of different levels, and, as a subject,  it can spark some really good discussions in the classroom with our pupils.

                                                                                                                                                              Mrs Jacobs.

Religious Education at Key Stage 3

RE lessons afford an insight into a broad and rich RE curriculum, which allows for coverage of the different key  areas. At Northgate, we explore a variety of religions that are reflected in the community, and explore how religion supports personal development, British Values, Social, Moral and Culltural Development and wellbeing. Our  intent is to  provide a high quality, coherent and progressive experience of the subject, with a view to apply cross-curricular learning, where necessary.

In Key Stage 3, the intention is that pupils will know and understand a range of religions and worldviews. They will be able to identify, investigate and respond to a variety of issues and various opinions, which is a key part of SMSC, personal growth and community cohesion.  Our  intent is to also make sure that children understand the relevance or RE in today's modern world, and how it affects all of our lives.

Pupils will always have the opportunity to discuss their own opinion and views, regardless of their beliefs.

At Key stage 3, foundational knowledge includes:

•  discussion and exploration of different religions
• belief and value  systems
• exploring religion in the modern day world
• why people believe: the tenets of faith

Religious Education at Key Stage 4

Key stage 4, pupils already have some insight and core knowledge within the subject. In Years 10 and 11, selected pupils begin to work towards the OCR GCSE short course. However, for pupils in Pathway 1, selected pupils will study  the AQA Aim award.

Historic Studies

In KS3 pupils study the Roman Empire, the Norman Conquest and the Tudor and Stuarts, through to Industry and Empire and a local study of history in Northampton.

There are various trips that are offered in KS3 to compliment these studies, such as a visit to The Black Country Museum and Warwick Castle.

In KS4 pupils work towards an Entry Level Qualification by studying WW1 and WW2. There is also a 400 word in depth study of Anne Frank to coincide with their studies on the Holocaust.

Geography

Geography lessons at Northgate School Arts College aim to provide pupils with the skills they need to make sense of the world around them, to explore and understand the human and physical processes that shape it. Through their studies, pupils develop their understanding of different societies and cultures and their links to the global community via food, sport, technology etc. We aim to provide all students with a geographical education which is up to date, relevant to their lives and encourages independent learning.

All Key Stage 3 pupils have a statutory right to Geography lessons and here at Northgate School Arts College all classes have one 45 – 50 minute lesson per week. Geography is taught following the National Curriculum Guidelines to all KS3 pupils. Pupils continue studying Geography until the end of Year 9 after which they are able to choose whether to continue studying Geography or History in KS4 in which time they have the opportunity to complete an accredited course and complete modules to contribute towards an ASDAN award.