Humanities Faculty
- Geography GCSE
- History GCSE
- Religious Studies
- Religious Studies GCSE
- Applied Business GCSE
- GNVQ Foundation Business
GCSE's
You are required to choose one subject in this option group but you may take more if you use your mixed option choices.
Geography GCSE
Geography is a subject about the earth and man's relationships with the earth. At GCSE level it involves the study of landscapes, meteorology and climate, environmental problems, population, economic development and settlements and urban problems. The subject has a lot of practical work with fieldwork, photograph interpretation, map work, I.T. and satellite imagery all being important.
Choosing Geography at GCSE will provide you with plenty of opportunities for further progression. At AS & 'A' level, in colleges and universities Geography is considered a 'science' and/or 'arts' subject and so can be studied as part of a science package or with subjects like History and English. There is a wide variety of courses available in Higher Education and many careers to which Geography can gain you entry.
Geography has been growing in status as a subject in recent years as environmental problems like global warming have become major issues. Geography studies problems like this in depth looking at their causes but also looking at solutions. Geography is then a very relevant subject for study at GCSE in the 2000's.
History GCSE
History is not just about dates! At GCSE you will study Nazi Germany, the USA 1929-2000 and South Africa 1948-94. Through the study of these modern history topics, you will gain vital key skills such as problem solving, analysis of evidence, empathy and teamwork. These skills are essential, not only for history and other subjects in school, but for any career you may wish to pursue in the future.
Choosing history at GCSE will provide you with plenty of opportunities for further progression. At AS/A Level, in colleges and universities, history is a very relevant subject. For example, many professions such as medicine and law feel that history opens the minds of students. Therefore, history can gain you entry into a wide range of careers, including television, radio, journalism, the police force, social work and the civil service.
The subject is taught through a range of sources, including video, CD-Rom, magazines and first-hand experiences, and goes well with most other subjects.
History is most definitely not a thing of the past, but a route to YOUR future!
Religious Studies
"Being allowed to express my opinions was something new and satisfying. I feel more confident about myself and am clearer about what I think and believe".
The statutory Religious Studies course is not intended to pressure pupils into entering a faith, but does help them to establish their views, and help them with the increasing number of decisions they have to make. Through the use of video, text books and worksheets, group discussion and individual work, pupils will look at a variety of controversial issues such as the death sentence, prejudice (racial, religious, sexual etc), and arranged marriages. Hopefully they will develop the skills of being able to distinguish between fact and belief and opinion, and will come to understand that religion offers a unique perspective on controversial issues and has plenty of relevance to their own lives.
Religious Studies GCSE
Choosing a GCSE subject should involve a consideration of how the subject can prepare you for adult life. I’m sure any parent reading this would want their child to be as informed as possible about issues with which they will inevitably have to deal when they’re out on their own in the “real world”. Religious Studies is an invaluable subject in personal development and preparation for life beyond school.
Have you heard any of these strange ideas that people have about taking Religious Studies?
- You’ve got to be religious to take Religious Studies.
- It’s not accepted as an equal qualification with other subjects.
- It’s really only a subject for girls.
- You can’t do much with it as a qualification except be a vicar or teacher.
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!
- The more people with different beliefs (including no belief) the better. Lessons would be so boring if everyone thought the same thing.
- It’s considered to be an equal qualification with all other subjects by all universities and employers. (In fact it’s often seen as an advantage because you’ve shown that you have an open mind on a wide range of issues. We know this from students who have been to university interviews.)
- Since when have the death penalty, war and sex only been subjects girls talk about?
- Many past pupils who’ve taken Religious Studies are now doctors, journalists, working in television, lawyers and actors as well as teachers, social workers, in the police – and these are just a few of the career options available. In fact, some employers make a point of looking to see if someone has a Religious Studies qualification.
- What other subject is increasing in popularity throughout the UK when the numbers in other subjects are falling?
The GCSE course looks at a wide variety of issues that are relevant to everybody’s lives from the viewpoint of Christianity and Hinduism eg:-
life after death;
creation and the Big Bang;
evil, the devil and suffering;
sex before marriage, love and divorce;
abortion and euthanasia;
war and peace in today’s world;
the death penalty
………and plenty more.
Religious Studies is very different from when your parents were in school – not just in what you learn but also in the way you’ll be learning. Many parents are pleasantly surprised at how interesting the subject is and we often hear “I wouldn’t mind joining in the lessons” at Parents’ Evenings.
Applied Business GCSE
Applied Business relates to the world of business and the community at large. Students pursuing a course in Business will be encouraged to develop their knowledge and understanding of business in a vocational context. It is a suitable qualification for those who want a broad background in business and those who want to progress to Higher Education. It will provide essential information for those entering the world of work.
The use of ICT is a strong feature of the course as today most businesses have come to rely on it.
The syllabus is based on coursework and a written examination.
The Subject Content
Unit 1 - Coursework: The Business and its Environment
Unit 2 - Written examination: Business Finance and Decision Making
The award can be taken as a Single or Double Award. The Double Award is equivalent to two GCSEs and for this you will need to study a further 2 units which will involve another piece of coursework and a written examination.
GCE Advanced Business Studies
The GCE Advanced Business is a board based qualification that provides the opportunity for exploring the world of business.
The focus of this qualification encourages students to develop and understanding of how business works in the real world.
Emphasis is placed on realistic business contexts throughout, students develop an understanding of how various business functions such as marketing, finance, human and physical resources work together, as part of a cohesive business.
Progression
The GCE Advanced business studies qualifies for UCAS points. It gives students a wide choice of progression options into further study, training or relevant employment in the business sector.
Students who successfully complete the qualificiation will be equipped to move onto Degrees, Higher National Diplomas or Modern Apprenticeships in related subjects.
Course Structure
The qualification has an AS/A2 Structure.
AS - 2 Units - The Business Framework - Business Functions
A2 - 2 Units - Business decision making - Business strategy and practice
All units are externally assessed through written examination.
Career Options for Business studied graduates -
Accountancy, Advertising, Broadcasting, Computing, Hospitality, Journalism, Legal Work, Leisure and Tourism, Marketing, Personal, Retailing, Sales, Social work, Teaching and many others.
You can visit the websites of any well known business organisations to find out about the graduate programmes on offer or for vacancies in different functional areas of a particular business for students who have studied any business qualification.