Introduction

Welcome to the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty consists of four departments: Geography (Geography and Leisure and Tourism), History (History and Politics), Religious Education (GCSE Religious Education short course GCSE World Religions and Philosophy and Ethics) and Social Sciences (Health and Social Care, Psychology and Sociology).  We are a very diverse faculty teaching ten different subjects from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5.

At Key Stage 3 Geography, History and Religious Education have strong links with the Middle Schools to ensure the smooth transition of students from Year 8 to 9. 

The Geography Department

Year 9 course description
In Year 9 students have the opportunity to learn about both physical and human topics as well as carrying out data collection and extended projects. Students look at Rivers, Population and Farming. They also complete an investigation on the local area. Students are assessed every half-term through class based assessments, end of topic tests and extended projects.

Year 10/11 course description
In GCSE Geography students complete the following assessments: 

 UNIT 1     Physical Geography (37.5%)               Examination

 UNIT 2    Human Geography (37.5%)                  Examination

 UNIT 3     Local Fieldwork Investigation (25%)    Controlled Assessment

In Year 10 students will look at the physical topics covered, this includes:

• The Restless Earth: the study of earthquakes, volcanoes tsunamis and supervolcanoes;
• The Coastal Zone: landforms of erosion and deposition, impacts of sea level change and management.
• Finally, students study Water on the Land: different landforms, flooding water issues and management.
• In the summer term of Year 10 students will complete their coursework investigation which is a controlled assessment.

Students in Year 11 will then move on to the Human topics which include:

• Population Change: world population growth, population policies and migration;
• Tourism: the growth of tourism, mass tourism, extreme tourism and sustainable tourism.
• Finally, Globalisation: Transnational corporations, energy use and changing food supply. 

Year 12/13 course description
AS Geography students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 1	Physical and Human Geography (70%)	Examination in May
UNIT 2	Geographical Skills (30%)	Examination in May

In Year 12 students study two compulsory topics: Rivers, flooding and management and Population Change. Both these topics will be examined in terms of fieldwork techniques in May and supported through fieldwork opportunities. In January we will move on and look at Coastal Environments and Food Supply. All four topics will be examined in May.

A2 Geography students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 3	Contemporary Geographical Issues (30% of A Level)	Examination in June
UNIT 4b	Geographical Issue Evaluation (20% of A Level)	Examination in June

In Year 13 students study two physical and two human topics:
Tectonics and associated hazards, Weather and Climate and associated hazards, Development and Globalisation and World Cites. They are examined in June.
Students will also prepare a pre-released booklet at the beginning of April on a Geographical issue. They will carry out research, fieldwork and different cartographical, statistical and graphical work in preparation for their examination in June.

Extra curricular opportunities

In Year 10:

• Students complete their coursework based on a fieldtrip to the coast. They will carry out data collection at a location linked to the title provided by the exam board

In Year 12:

• Students have a residential trip to Leeson House to prepare for the Geographical Skills examination. Here students carry out Physical Geography data collection: a rivers investigation; and Human Geography data collection: a settlement study on villages
• Students go to Swanage to look at the flood management scheme in use
• Students visit Barton-on-Sea to look at rates of coastal erosion and cliff collapse, management techniques and the different landforms along this part of the coast
• Students carry out data collection in Southampton; looking at housing quality and type, services and provision as well as the socio-economic background of the area

In Year 13:

• Students have a residential trip to Leeson House to prepare for the Geographical Issues Evaluation examination in January. Here, students will have the opportunity to carry out fieldwork techniques, debates and discussions.

Contact details:
Sophie Dean, Head of Faculty sdean@qe.dorset.sch.uk
Beverley Wood, Teacher of Humanities bwood@qe.dorset.sch.uk
Meg Smith, Teacher of Humanities msmith@qe.dorset.sch.uk

Geography AQA A:
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/geo_landt/new/geography_a_overview.php

GCSE Leisure and Tourism

Year 10/11 course description
GCSE Leisure and tourism is a course with particular emphasis on using real life examples and research.  Students will cover two main topics during the course:

• Understanding leisure and tourism destinations
• The nature of leisure and tourism

The first unit is worth 40% of the final grade and will be assessed through a one hour examination in June of Year 11. In this unit students will study a range of leisure and tourism organisations in the UK and abroad.  They will look at the reasons people visit these locations, the methods of travel they use and the facilities provided.  They will also study the impact of visitors and the sustainability of leisure and tourism.

The second unit is worth 60% of the final grade and for this unit students will produce a project under controlled assessment conditions – this will be produced during 45 hours of supervised lesson time.  In this unit students will look at leisure and tourism destination such as Bath – they will research the facilities provided, the changes in these facilities over time, marketing of leisure and tourism products and employment within the destination.
To help students complete this work we will undertake a number of local visits. 

Extra curricular opportunities

Throughout the course we will be undertaking a variety of visits, mostly in the local area.  These will vary in length from one or two lessons to a whole day in length.  Visits that are planned include: Wimborne Minster Town Centre, Bournemouth, Bath and Portsmouth.

Contact details:
Meg Smith, Teacher of Humanities msmith@qe.dorset.sch.uk

AQA Leisure & Tourism:
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/geo_landt/new/landt_overview.ph

The History Department

HISTORY

Year 9 course description

Year 9 History is a broad ranging course which is approached in a balanced way through the evaluation of historical evidence and specific areas of knowledge. In the first term students continue their exploration of the 18th and 19th centuries. Having established the importance of change within Britain after 1700, students will consider the global impact of Britain’s place in the world in a unit on Empire. The second term develops the global theme by evaluating the First World War including: the development of technology, the role of women and propaganda. The rest of the year is spent considering the emergence of Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe, the Second World War and a special investigation on the Holocaust. Students are assessed every half-term through a variety of class based assessments, end of topic tests and extended projects.

In GCSE History students complete the following assessments:  

UNIT 1	International Relations: Conflict and Peace in the Twentieth Century (37.5%)	Examination
UNIT 2	Twentieth Century Depth Studies: The USA and Germany 1919 -41 (37.5%)	Examination
UNIT 3	Historical Enquiry based on British History in the Twentieth Century (25%)	Controlled Assessment

Year 10 course description
In Year 10, students will evaluate the outcomes of the First World War, how peace was established and then lost; in this, the success and failures of the League of Nations is crucial. Likewise, the policies of Mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Germany are examined in relation to the failure of the League and the outbreak of the Second World War. With the defeat of Hitler in 1945, students move on to consider how the Great Alliance collapsed with the emergence of the Cold War 1945 to 1955.

Year 11 course description 
In Year 11, students will explore how two countries responded to the social, economic and political issues of the inter-war years. The USA:  Having entered the First World War, America opts for a policy of isolation which lasts until Pearl Harbor. Why did this happen? During this period, America experienced a period of boom, technological change, economic collapse and war. In contrast, students evaluate how Totalitarianism was established in Germany in 1933 after the failure of Weimer Democracy. Hitler responded to economic collapse is a different way and in the process successfully challenged the terms of the 1919 Peace Treaty.
In the summer term of Year 10 students will complete a coursework investigation into the changing role and status of women in Britain since 1900 which is a controlled assessment.

Year 12/13 course description
AS History students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 1	The USA and Vietman, 1961-1975 (25% of A Level)	Examination in May
UNIT 2	The Crusading Movement and the Latin East, 1095-1204 (25% of A Level)	Examination in May

Students start their AS course in relatively familiar territory with the role of the USA in the Vietnam War. This work is assessed through a mixture of source-based questions and essay-style responses. At the heart of this Unit is an analysis of American motives in relation to Vietnam at the height of the Cold War and what affect this had, not just on domestic opinion but on S-E Asia.

Unit 2 is a complete change but, given events in the world today, provides students with an opportunity to explore European and Middle Eastern issues through the lens of the first four Crusades. This is assessed through essay-style questions. There are some big names to consider: Richard of England the Lionheart, Saladin, Philip II of France, Baldwin IV. Those familiar with the film ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ will appreciate the underlying conflict that existed within the Crusades.

A2 History students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 3	The Triumph of Elizabeth, 1547 - 1603 (30% of A Level)	Examination in June
UNIT 4	Historical Enquiry (20% of A Level)	Examination in June

Unit 3 introduces students to the later Tudors and Elizabeth I. After establishing the nature of rule in England by 1558, the Unit considers the social, economic, religious and strategic issues which confronted Elizabeth I. This Unit is assessed through essays.

Unit 4 is something the department has specialised in for many years and with great success. Students going on to Higher Education face many different styles of assessment, in particular, the dissertation. The Historical Enquiry is set within a module covering a 250 year period and which is taught. Students then research a topic of their choice within this period and produce a 3000 word dissertation. Students will use a wide range of sources, both primary and secondary and are given training in research methodologies and dissertation writing.

Extra curricular opportunities:

Year 13 visit to Hampton Court and the National Record office at Kew

Contact details:

Rev J Plows, Head of History JPlows@qe.dorset.sch.uk
Mrs T Barr, Teacher of History TBarr@qe.dorset.sch.uk
Mrs M Helliwell, Teacher of History MHelliwell@e.dorset.sch.uk
Miss A Banner, Teacher of History ABanner@qe.dorset.sch.uk

History AQA GCSE Level History: 
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/his_rel/new/history_b_overview.php
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/humanities/history_noticeboard.php

A Level Government and Politics

Year 12/13 course description
AS Government and Politics students complete the following assessments:

UNIT 1	People, Politics and Participation (25% of A Level)	Examination in May
UNIT 2	Governing Modern Britain (25% of A Level)	Examination in May

Government and Politics may be a new subject to students but it builds very successfully on the work undertaken in GCSE Citizenship and many of the Humanities subjects. This is a subject which evaluates and discusses what is in the news!

Unit 1 explores the many ways in which a citizen may participate in the democratic process. The alternative election systems from around the world are evaluated in comparison to those familiar within the UK. The role and significance of political parties and pressure groups such as Greenpeace or Fathers for Justice are then examined.
Unit 2 develops the work from Unit 1 to ask in more detail how Britain is governed. Britain may have the “Mother of all Parliaments” but what is its job, how does it work and what is the role of MPs in a modern and mature democracy? To what extent is the prime Minister too powerful? What is democratic about Local Government? This is work is assessed through structured essay-style responses.

A2 Politics students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 3	The Politics of the USA (25% of A level)	Examination in June
UNIT 4	The Government of the USA (25% of A Level)	Examination in June

Unit 3 crosses the Atlantic to undertake an introduction to the American political system. For students who are close followers of the British media or the West Wing there are some familiar areas of study: the Presidency; political parties, pressure groups and how citizens vote. 
Unit 4 develops this study of American politics by exploring the working of the US Constitution: the world’s first modern written democratic constitution. The role of Congress and the Supreme Court complete this Unit. This is work is assessed through structured essay-style responses

Extra curricular opportunities:

The Department organises an annual visit to the Houses of Parliament. It has become traditional for the MP for North Dorset to meet our students and debate topical issues.

Contact details:
Rev. J Plows, Head of History  JPlows@qe.dorset.sch.uk

History AQA A Level History: 
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/humanities/gov_politics_noticeboard.php

The Religious Education Department

Year 9 course description
In Year 9 students examine a range of religions and wider moral issues. In the Autumn term they consider ideas of wealth and poverty from a Muslim perspective. In the Spring term students examine the religion of Judaism, studying the key beliefs and practices of the Jewish religion. Finally in the Summer term we study Christianity in the Media, observing how this religion is viewed in film, TV and other medias. Students will also explore Buddhism and the origins of evil and the problem of suffering for a religious believer.

Year 10/11 course description
All pupils at KS4 follow the OCR Philosophy and Ethics Short Course (J121)
This enables them to study a variety of different moral and ethical topics which have relevance to today and their personal experiences.  Pupils are encouraged to explore their own opinions and discuss the views of others as well as studying the Christian perspective. The GCSE Short Course is both a ‘stand-alone’ qualification and also the first half of the corresponding full course GCSE. 

In GCSE Short Course RE students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT B603	Ethics 1: Relationships and Medical Ethics (50%)	Examination
UNIT B604	Ethics 2: Peace and Justice and Equality (50%)	Examination

In Year 10 students start with the Relationships unit looking at various aspects surrounding relationships from a Christian perspective, for example Christian attitudes towards divorce. The Medical Ethics unit allow students the opportunity to consider topical issues like fertility treatment and cloning, whilst contrasting the Christian attitudes towards these issues. At the end of Year 10, students look at the Equality unit where they learn about Christian attitudes towards racism and the role of women in the Church. In year 11 the course comes to an end with the Peace and Justice unit, where topics such as war, crime and punishment are studied. 

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-religious-studies-b-philosophy-and-applied-ethics-j621-j121-from-2012/

GCSE FULL COURSE

In addition to the above, students can also choose to take GCSE Full Course World Religions Religious Studies. They study two world religions, Buddhism and Judaism, in depth, looking at the beliefs and practices of these major world religions. There are four examined units outlined below:

•      Paper 1 B569: Buddhism 1- Beliefs, Special Days, Divisions and Interpretations

•      Paper 2 B570: Buddhism 2- Worship, Community, Family and Sacred Writings

•      Paper 3 B579: Judaism 1- Beliefs, Special Days, Divisions and Interpretations

•      Paper 4 B580: Judaism 2- Worship, Community, Family and Sacred Writings

In the course students will have the opportunity to explore festivals like Wesak in Buddhism and Hanukah in Judaism. They will study key aspects of worship and observances like kosher in Judaism and giving alms in Buddhism.

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-religious-studies-a-world-religions-j620-j120-from-2012/

Year 12/13 course description
We have a healthy number of students who choose to study Philosophy and Ethics at AS/A2.This course is split into two units. The Philosophy paper questions who we are, why we are here and the existence of God.  The Ethics paper explores how we make moral decisions and the various theories set out by philosophers to help us achieve this.

In AS Philosophy and Ethics students complete the following assessments: 

G571	AS Philosophy (50%)	Examination in June
G581	AS Ethics (50%)	Examination in June

In AS Philosophy students explore Ancient Greek influences on the philosophy of religion, The Judaeo-Christian concepts of God as good and as creator. Then we move onto examine traditional arguments for the existence of God, and the challenges raised to religious belief from psychology and the problem of evil. 
In AS Ethics students examine Ethical theories including the concepts of absolute and relative morality, Natural Law, Kantian Ethics and Religious Ethics. Students then apply ethical issues such as euthanasia to these ethical theories. 

In A2 Philosophy and Ethics students complete the following assessments:  

G572	A2 Philosophy (50%)	Examination in June
G582	A2 Ethics (50%)	Examination in June

In A2 Philosophy students further their understanding of philosophical issues by exploring religious language including statements about God existence and life after death. Also, Religious experience as evidence for belief in God. Students will consider the concept of miracles and what they tell us about the nature of God. 
In A2 Ethics students considered meta-ethics, which examines the use of ethical language. Students study the concepts of free will and determinism and its responsibility in our making of moral decisions. Students will also view the role of the conscience in decision making.

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-religious-studies-h172-h572/

Extra curricular opportunities:

In Year 10:

• Gifted and talented students are offered the opportunity to attend a one day conference to explore philosophical and ethical issues

In Year 11:

• GCSE Full Course students go on a visit the Jewish Synagogues in Bournemouth and the  Buddhist centre in Brighton

In Years 12 and 13:

• There are a number of A’Level Philosophy and Ethics Conference trips

Contact details:
Mrs S Dean, Head of Religious Education  sbdean@qe.dorset.sch.uk
Mr R Foyle, Teacher of  Religious Education  rfoyle@qe.dorset.sch.uk  
Mrs E Willcocks, Teacher of  Religious Education  ewillcocks@qe.dorset.sch.uk

The Social Sciences Department

PSYCHOLOGY

Year 10/11 course description
In GCSE Psychology students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 1	Studies and Applications in Psychology 1 (40%)	Examination
UNIT 2	Studies and Applications in Psychology 2 (40%)	Examination
UNIT 3	Research in Psychology (20%)	Examination

In Year 10 and 11 students will develop an awareness of why psychology matters. They will acquire knowledge and understanding of how psychology works and its essential role in society and develop an understanding of the relationship between psychology and social, cultural, scientific and contemporary issues. As part of the research method unit, they will learn to apply ethical guidelines to core studies. Finally, a key skill in Psychology is the understanding of the contribution that Psychology has played in society.
In year 10 students will learn about gender issues, memory, attachment, obedience and abnormal behaviour. In year 11 students will learn about criminal behaviour, perception, cognitive development, non-verbal behaviour and the self. As part of the research unit, students will plan out and design pieces of research and analyse the data.

Year 12/13 course description
AS Psychology students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 1	Research Methods in Psychology (30%)	Examination in May
UNIT 2	Core Studies (70%)	Examination in May

In Year 12 students will learn about five key areas in Psychology including Cognitive, Developmental, Physiological, Social and Individual Differences. They will learn to describe the approach and evaluate these in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, they will have to learn three core studies from each of these areas in which students must remember details about the sample, the procedure and the results. Complementary to this, students will conduct their own investigations ready for the January exam in Research methods.

A2 Psychology students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 3	Application of Psychology (Education & Crime) (50%)	Examination in June
UNIT 4	Research Methods & Approaches (50%)	Examination in June

In Year 13 students will learn to apply Psychology to two key areas; Education and Crime. They will need to be able to describe key theories and pieces of research which have contributed to these areas. They will also need to discuss the limitations of these applications. To compliment Unit 1 (AS), students will be assessed on a synoptic element; that of research methods and approaches. This paper is a replacement for the old coursework unit.

Extra curricular opportunities:

• Psychology conferences recommended to students
• Observation of teacher’s classes from year 9 to 11 (for the Education unit)

Contact details:
Mr M Oldfield, Acting Head of Social Sciences  moldfield@qe.dorset.sch.uk
Miss S Davidson, Teacher of Psychology  sdavidson@qe.dorset.sch.uk

Psychology OCR: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/asa_levelgceforfirstteachingin2008/psychology/  (A Level)
                            http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcsefor2009/psychology/index.html  (GCSE)

SOCIOLOGY

Year 10/11 course description
Sociology is the study of groups and structures in Society and how they interact and impact upon individuals. Topics such as the Family, Education, Crime, Youth and the Workplace are studied to show how social class, gender, and ethnicity impact upon society and peoples’ opportunities and cultures.

Course Structure: 

UNIT 1	Sociology Basics (25%)	Examination
UNIT 2	Socialisation, Culture & Identity (50%)	Examination
UNIT 3	Applying Sociological Research Techniques (25%)	Examination

The GCSE Sociology course offers students the opportunity to learn and discover how British society operates, and its impact on individuals. The course has three units, which are assessed through three examinations over the two years. Within  each unit there are many chances for students to engage in a variety of practical activities and debates when studying the assessment material.

Year 12/13 course description:
Sociology offers alternative explanations to the common sense assumptions about the world that people often make. Sociology is not about opinions but about using evidence that is both reliable and valid. Sociology also investigates a range of debates regarding social ‘problems’ and the different perspectives that differing sociologists have over the causes of (and solutions to!) these issues.  At QE we follow the OCR syllabus for sociology. 
 
AS Sociology Units: 

UNIT 1	Exploring Socialisation, Culture & Identity (50%)	Examination in June
UNIT 2	Topics: Socialisation, Culture & Identity (50%)	Examination in May

At AS the two units studied are: The Individual and Society, focusing on how we build identities in terms of class, gender, ethnicity and nationality; Culture and Socialisation where you develop a more detailed knowledge and understanding of at least one key institution which plays an important role in the relationship between individuals and society (the family, the mass media, religion or youth culture) Finally, Research Methods; looking at how we collect information from people and about our society.

A2 Sociology Units: 

UNIT 3	Power and Control (50%)	Examination in June
UNIT 4	Exploring Social Inequality and Difference (50%)	Examination in June

At A2 level the two units studied are: Power and Control; and Inequality and Difference.  We will be focusing on Crime and Deviance and Education.  The unit on inequality revisits concepts studied such as; Gender, Power, Ethnicity and Social Class in more detail and analysis.

Students who study Sociology can go onto Social Science based university courses, leading to careers in the areas such as the police force, teaching, journalism and law based professions as well as many other career areas.

Extra curricular opportunities:

• Crime trips

Contact details:
Mr M Oldfield, Acting Head of  Social Sciences, Teacher of Sociology  moldfield@qe.dorset.sch
Mr R Richardson, Teacher of Sociology  rrichardson@qe.dorset.sch

OCR Sociology:
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcsefor2009/sociology/index.html  (GCSE)
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/asa_levelgceforfirstteachingin2008/sociology/index.html  (A Level)

Health and Social Care

Year 10/11 course description
In GCSE Health & Social Care students complete the following assessments:

UNIT 1	Health, Social Care and Early Years Provision (60%)	Controlled Assessment
UNIT 2	Understanding Personal Development and Relationships (40%)	Examination

Both to be assessed at the end of Year 11, 2015

In Year 10 and 11 students will actively engage in the processes of health and social care to develop as effective and independent learners, understand aspects of personal development, and the health, social care and early years sectors through investigation and evaluation of a range of services and organisations. They will also develop a critical and analytical approach to problem-solving within health, social care and early years sectors and finally examine issues that affect the nature and quality of human life including an appreciation of diversity and cultural issues.
In Year 10, the students will learn about human growth and development. In Year 11 they will learn about the ways people can obtain services and the possible barriers that could prevent people from gaining access to services and the types of services that exist to meet client group needs and how they are developed and organised. They will understand the principles of care that underpin all care work and highlight the main work roles and skills of people who provide health, social care and early years services.

Year 12/13 course description
AS Health & Social Care students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 1	Promoting Quality Care	Examination
UNIT 2	Communication in Care Settings	Coursework
UNIT 3	Promoting Good Health	Coursework

In Year 12 students will learn about the rights and responsibilities of service users and service providers. They will learn how to facilitate access to services and the value of care. Their two pieces of coursework involve putting together a portfolio explaining about how services can communicate to their service users, including interpreting body language. They will also be required to design and implement a healthy lifestyles campaign.

A2 Health and Social Care students complete the following assessments: 

UNIT 4	Care Practice and Provision	Coursework
UNIT 5	Child Development	Coursework
UNIT 6	Social Trends	Examination

In Year 13 students will apply their knowledge of the care service to health legislations and legal issues. They will learn more about the development of children and how those working with younger people will benefit from these theories. Their exam will test their understanding of statistical data about social trends including, health, family and socio-economic status.

Extra curricular opportunities:

• Students in years 10 and 12 will use their work experience opportunity to provide information that will help with their controlled assessment (GCSE) and coursework (A level).

Contact details:
Mrs A Leach, Teacher of Health and Social Care aleach@qe.dorset.sch.uk

Health & Social Care OCR: 
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcsefor2009/health_and_social_care/index.htm l (GCSE)http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/asa_levelgceforfirstteachingin2009/app_hsc/index.html (A level)