The word 'geography' literally means 'writing about the world.' Geography is all about trying to make sense of the world we see around us. Why are settlements where they are? Why do people do particular jobs? Why does it always rain on me? These are all questions in which Geographers are interested. Geography is a highly-valued, broad-based subject that will give you a range of important skills. Head of Geography: Francesca Elliot
We believe that the study of History is fundamental to the educational well-being of all societies. This discipline lies at the heart of a balanced education, equipping its students with essential skills for life but also giving them joy through acquisition of knowledge of the past.
We are committed to making History teaching a source of greater inquisitiveness in the minds of pupils. Its rigorously analytical and intellectually creative nature allows students to develop the life-long ability to interpret evidence and to organise their thoughts and responses to it with precision and style. Above all, we work to ensure that learning History can make a difference to how our pupils view themselves and the world around them. We want all our pupils to be enthused and excited as they come to understand the relevance of past societies and cultures. Head of History: Paul Griffin
The History of Art is studied only at AS and A2 Levels and very few of you will have much previous knowledge and none is expected. Provided you are committed to hard work and the pleasure gained from studying beautiful, fascinating and interesting works of art, we will be delighted to teach you, to take you on trips and to share our enthusiasm and hard work. Head of History of Art: Meredith Atkinson-Wood
Religion has always been, and continues to be for us today, a powerful driving force in society - for good and ill. It affects us all, whether or not we are believers. A knowledge of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics is needed to inform our own political and social understanding, to enlighten the subtleties of literature and to aid our understanding of history. Beyond this, the study of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics is a fascinating one, interesting for its own sake and useful in that it sharpens the mind and provides an insight into the study of ideas and their accompanying debates. It forces you to examine your own ideas and raises questions where before you thought there were none. The focus on developing analytical skills means that Religious Studies qualifications are valued by universities and employers. Head of Philosophy and Religion: Francesca Holloway
Government and Politics affects us all every day, no matter who you are or what you do. Learning about democracy, power, authority and systems of government allows us to understand the changes happening around us every day and makes us more active citizens. The Politics course encourages learners to argue about the health of our democratic system and promotes an appreciation of fundamental principles like the Rule of Law and parliamentary sovereignty. The content is very dynamic, focusing on the every-day changing arena of contemporary politics, and students are often stimulated by the fact that the subject is in a constant state of flux, with textbooks going out of date as soon as they are published. The department is also at the cutting edge of modern pedagogy, making extensive use of flipped lessons and deep practice strategies. This includes the innovative 'mastery points' system for self directed learning, where students become strong independent learners responsible for their own development. All of this makes Politics a highly stimulating and exciting course to study. Head of Politics: Simon Cole