Social Science Curriculum Intent
‘A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin or culture is like a tree without roots’
Marcus Garvey
The Social Sciences curriculum promotes social mobility and stimulates academic curiosity. Knowledge is engendered through a range of memorable and enriching learning experiences. Through signposted learning opportunities that develop empathy and compassion and promote a team ethos to learning, students develop holistically and support each other to deepen their knowledge and understanding of social ideas, legal concepts and theories of behaviour. Students are trained to challenge misconceptions, to act as role models for each other and actively to seek opportunities to demonstrate the leadership skills that are intrinsically provided by the nature of the social sciences curriculum. Learners develop debating and advocacy skills through guided discussion which in turn allows students to express their views and opinions and appreciate those of others.
The social sciences curriculum provides a diverse range of learning experiences, cross curricular links and the embedding of core principles which underpin key learning ideas. These include a knowledge of basic human rights and the importance of acting responsibly within these rights to ensure a cohesive society; understanding the theory of behaviour and how it shapes and forms moral boundaries in society; developing a broad understanding of the UK’s role in the wider world; developing the ability to explore issues through case studies.
References to career pathways linked to Law, Psychology and Sociology promote lifelong learning and an understanding of life beyond the classroom. Knowledge is sequenced progressively to facilitate long-term retention and build confidence and resilience. Long-term and medium-term planning ensures the Social Sciences curriculum provides frequent opportunities to retrieve, recall and deploy core knowledge and understanding.