Humanities
Churchill`s Humanities department teaches Geography, History and Religious Studies (with Ethics at AS/A level). This is a large and popular department, with good teaching resources including digital projectors, interactive whiteboards, DVD and audio systems.
Religious Education at Churchill
KS3:
Students follow the National Curriculum by studying a variety of topics ranging from Islam to slavery and freedom, Gandhi to Buddhism.
GCSE:
The course involves studying two different religions (Christianity and Islam) and their attitudes to a wide range of issues which we may face in everyday society. The units span a variety of topics such as what happens when we die, whether it’s ever right to go to war, should women have equal rights or is the environment our responsibility. There are lots of opportunities for discussion and for each issue that is covered students will need to be able to give their own opinion and reasons for it.
Plenty of the topics covered can be found on TV in soap operas, the news, in films, music and books which means that RE is a subject that is always relevant and topical.
A Level
Philosophy and Ethics tries to answers questions which have been puzzling scholars for thousands of years. For example is there a God? Why is there evil and suffering in the world? Can an action which is deemed ‘bad’ by society ever be seen as beneficial if it’s for the greater good of a community? Like lower down the school there are always plenty of opportunities for a lively debate. There is no coursework for this course but students do study an area of their choice and then write up their research findings in an exam.
Smile
All courses are well resourced on Smile where parents and students can access lesson plans, power points and other resources. This is an ongoing project.
History at Churchill
“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.”
George Orwell
KS3:
Students follow the National Curriculum studying a variety of topics from The Battle of Hastings to the Cold War. In year 8 there is the opportunity to go on a fieldtrip to the battlefields of World War One in Belgium.
GCSE:
Learn about mysterious crimes and gruesome punishments as you study the development of crime & punishment through time. Also learn how the Wild West was won in a study of the USA between 1840 and 1895. Coursework is a local study on Bristol, the Slave Trade and the Industrial Revolution and this will include a fieldtrip.
A Level
Study the role that media has played in the development of modern Britain, from the swinging sixties to the introduction of the Internet. Find out how the mighty Tsars of Russia were executed and replaced by some of the most notorious Dictators in history. In year 13 you will investigate how Hitler was able to gain power and control Germany. Coursework will involve a study of the United States in the 19th Century and there will be the opportunity to go on a trip to America and view the famous Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg.
Geography at Churchill
“Without Geography you’re nowhere”
KS3:
Students follow the National Curriculum studying a variety of topics from Mapwork to Climate Change. In year 8 there is a fieldtrip to Bristol to plan the development of a sustainable community.
GCSE:
A progressive and exciting syllabus is followed with topics such as Battle for the Biosphere, Extreme Climates, Living Spaces and Changing Cities amongst others. Students also undertake a controlled assessment following a fieldtrip. The final element of the assessment is a decision making examination based on pre-release materials.
A Level
A new syllabus which offers students the opportunity to take a new approach to traditional studies. At AS level students study Rebranding, Going Global, Crowded Coasts and World at Risk. There are several single day field visits. In Year 13 students sit a paper on Pollution and Human Health and a variety of other contemporary subjects. Research skills are encouraged and a wide variety of teaching and learning skills are used.
Smile
All courses are resourced on Smile where parents and students can access lesson plans, powerpoints and other resources. This is an ongoing project.
Blog
Students can access and interact with the Geography Department Blog by typing blogs in the address panel on Smile. This is a new resource which is currently being developed and expanded.
Politics at Churchill
Politics has been big news in the recent past with the 2010 General Election, expenses scandal and the economic recession. By studying politics at Churchill, students will gain an understanding of what the different British political parties stand for and whether there are any real ideological differences between them. Students will also look at the different political processes such as elections and whether they are in need of being reformed. In year 13 you will study the American political system. Barack Obama has brought American Politics into the Global spotlight and students will study his election among many other things. At Churchill we offer a fantastic trip to America that includes a full tour of Washington and all the main political establishments there such as the White House.