Humanities

Vision

At Holly House School, our Humanities curriculum brings together History and Geography to help pupils understand the world around them, both past and present. We want pupils to become curious, open-minded learners who ask thoughtful questions, explore different perspectives and develop an understanding of their place within local, national and global communities. Through an inclusive, engaging and ambitious curriculum, pupils build the knowledge, skills and cultural understanding needed for future learning and life beyond school.

Intent

Our Humanities curriculum develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of people, places, events and environments. Integrated History and Geography themes enable pupils to make meaningful connections, investigate the world around them and apply their learning to real-life contexts. Through our curriculum, pupils will:

• Become inquisitive learners who question, investigate and interpret the world around them.
• Develop knowledge of local, national and global places, people, events and environments.
• Build wider cultural understanding and respect for diversity.
• Develop foundational historical and geographical knowledge, vocabulary and enquiry skills.
• Use maps, sources, evidence and data to communicate ideas and reach informed conclusions.
• Build critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and independent learning skills.
• Prepare for future educational opportunities, accredited qualifications and adult life.

The curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and tailored to the diverse needs of pupils. It is adapted to individual starting points while maintaining clear expectations for progression across Key Stages 2 and 3, preparing pupils for life beyond school and, where appropriate, formal accreditation.

Implementation

Humanities is taught through thematic units that integrate History and Geography. This supports coherence, reduces unnecessary cognitive load and provides opportunities for pupils to explore topics from more than one perspective. Each class follows a year-by-year curriculum map with three termly topics, allowing time for depth, consolidation, reflection and flexible adaptation to individual needs.

Topics are selected for their relevance to pupils’ lived experiences and local context, accessibility and engagement for SEND learners, alignment with National Curriculum and GCSE themes, cross-curricular potential, enrichment and opportunities for trips or real-world connections. In Key Stage 2, pupils develop foundational knowledge and skills such as map reading, chronological understanding and basic enquiry. Key Stage 3 builds on these foundations through increasingly analytical and investigative work, more complex vocabulary and greater independence, supporting possible reintegration into mainstream settings or transition to further education. Lessons use structured, visual and scaffolded approaches, with opportunities for repetition, movement, emotional regulation and sensory engagement. Clear routines and consistent formats support access and participation. Local fieldwork, museum visits and relevant educational trips enrich learning where appropriate. Cross-curricular links are developed particularly through English, Art and PSHE. Assessment includes pre-topic activities, ongoing reflection and tailored knowledge and skills statements. Progress is recorded through SOLAR using Beginning, Progressing and Embedded levels, helping teachers identify understanding, provide feedback and plan next steps.

Impact

Our Humanities curriculum supports pupils to become curious, knowledgeable and open-minded learners who understand more about the world, its past and their place within it. Pupils develop historical and geographical knowledge alongside transferable skills that support future education, adult life and participation in their communities. As a result of our curriculum, pupils:

• Recall and apply increasingly secure historical and geographical knowledge.
• Use subject-specific vocabulary with growing confidence and accuracy.
• Ask questions, investigate evidence and communicate informed ideas.
• Make connections between people, places, events, environments and different periods of time.
• Demonstrate critical thinking, empathy, resilience and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Use maps, sources and data with increasing independence.
• Are better prepared for accredited study, further education and responsible participation in modern British society.

Our aim is for pupils to leave Holly House with a secure foundation in History and Geography, confidence in their own potential and the knowledge and skills needed to take their next steps with purpose.

 

Humanities - Curriculum Delivery

humanities sow ks2 3 curriculum delivery.pdf

Humanities - Knowledge and Skills Mapping

humanities knowledge and skills mapping progression.pdf