Teaching Humanities at Sherbrook

At Sherbrook Primary School, we ensure our Humanities curriculum offers our children opportunities, which excite, promote and sustain their interest, whilst developing a rich subject knowledge. We intend to provide a curriculum which caters for the needs of all pupils.

For pupils in our semi- formal and formal phases we have coherent topic plans which cover a broad range of areas and we ensure that the curriculum is adapted to suit the levels of all learners.

The subject area of Humanities incorporates both History and Geography. The study of Humanities provides opportunities for the pupils to experience and, where appropriate, to develop some understanding of events and people of different times and places. It enriches the curriculum by offering the pupils to be actively involved in exploring the world around them. This is achieved through exploring and handling artefacts, visiting museums, stories, books, photos and through practical craft like activities linked to particular topics.

The study of Geography allows the pupils to explore, experience and develop an understanding of such areas as their local environment, e.g. their school, local shops, the weather, jobs, water, maps, directions and exploring the differences between the country and the town. The study of History looks at past events including historical events and people whilst linking it to the lives of our learners and how history has shaped the present time and future. The topics covered are differentiated to ensure learners of all levels are able to participate and engage in a range of learning opportunities.

Humanities in the pre-formal pathway is taught by following a bespoke curriculum designed to meet the needs of our individual learners. It is designed to meet the early learning goals by supporting the learners to engage in a range of differentiated activities to consolidate learning and give opportunities for pupils to learn through a sensory approach. The Development Matters documents and EYFS have been used to support our curriculum which follows The Understanding the World topic. Learning about ourselves and the world around us is encouraged daily and as part of topic lessons. Our sensory needs learners are supported to develop engagement, exploration, persistence, realisation, anticipation and initiation whilst being exposed to a range of motivating, purposeful activities.