Humanities & Social SciencesWe offer a diverse range of A-level subjects including History, Psychology, Government & Politics, Sociology, Geography, and Economics. We also offer AAQs in Early Childhood Studies, in Mental Health, and in Health and Social Care. We have a history of excellent results with many students going on to study a Humanities and Social Sciences subject at university. The teaching staff are experienced and come from a wide range of backgrounds: politics, industry, healthcare, university research and teaching abroad. Economics is a challenging A-level subject which focuses on the study of rational choice and the best allocation of resources. Economics explains individual, familial, commercial and governmental decisions and structures. Although a humanities subject, it is mathematical and data-heavy in nature, so economics students must be able to reason mathematically, apply difficult new concepts, and write concisely about their findings. The course introduces students to: the concept of markets, and how they fail; to topics in macroeconomics focusing on the measurement of national economic performance; and to policies and ideas about labour markets and how they function both nationally and globally. Thinking from a economist's perspective helps us make better choices about difficult questions. Geography at A-level is the study of the world around us and the challenges that will shape its future. It is one of the most contemporary and relevant subjects, tackling issues such as globalisation, climate change, water insecurity, environmental management, and sustainable development. The course combines both Physical and Human Geography, developing students’ ability to analyse complex systems, evaluate evidence, and form well-reasoned arguments. Assessment includes written examinations alongside a substantial independent investigation (NEA), which allows students to pursue a topic of their own interest in depth. Beyond the classroom, Geography offers rich opportunities for learning in the field. Students take part in four days of compulsory fieldwork at a leading fieldwork centre in Britain and can participate in international visits. Geography is a highly respected academic subject that develops transferable skills in research, analysis, and communication. It is valued by top universities and provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of degree courses and careers, from environmental science and urban planning to international relations, business, and law. Studying Government and Politics will help you to play a more active role as a citizen, and to question the things that governments do. You will develop research and communication skills through studying the complexities of contemporary UK and American politics., and develop an up-to-date knowledge of current affairs. Analytical essays will sharpen your debating skills and persuasive writing. There is an active student-led debating society and a programme of visiting speakers, lobbyists, activists, MPs and academics. You'll also visit the Houses of Parliament and Greater London Assembly. This subject gives you the understanding to imagine different futures for us all. Our AAQ in Early Childhood Development is equivalent to a single A-level and is assessed by both exams and coursework. It offers a strongly theoretical approach to understanding the intellectual and physical development of children in early childhood, and the knowledge that is needed to support children through this life stage. It is not an “Early Years” qualification, which is more directly vocationally oriented, but would certainly prepare students to apply for psychology or primary teaching courses, for example. Our AAQ in Health and Social Care is equivalent to a single A-level and is assessed by both exams and coursework. You will learn about the principles of health and social care and the legislation and procedures that govern the effective function of care settings; you will study human anatomy, and the arrangement of body systems including the structure and function of the component parts and their key processes. You will learn about the modern person-centred approach to care and the practical tools that can be used to develop care plans for individuals. Finally, a unit focuses on how individuals with mental health conditions can be cared for and supported in a way which is suitable for their needs. Our AAQ in Mental Health: Individuals and Society is equivalent to one A-level. You will explore the fundamentals of mental health including learning about differing mental health conditions, contributing factors and methods of management. You will look at what provisions are available and engage in health promotion campaign planning. You will consider societal attitudes toward mental illness, how they have changed over time and their impact. Lastly, you will learn about the impact of physical exercise and alternative therapies on well-being and their role in managing mental health. There are five units in total: two exams, and three coursework units. Recent Health and Social Care students have gone on to nursing or midwifery courses at universities like King’s College London, to train as primary school teachers at universities like Canterbury Christ Church, and to work in early years education. History teaches its students to be critical and analytic. Key concepts are those of cause and effect, and change and continuity. Historians look closely at evidence, and reason closely about what this evidence can be taken to show about the past and its presence in the present. The first year of the course focuses on seventeenth-century Britain and Russia at the turn of the twentieth century. The second year course looks at Germany 1871-1990, and also studies the causes of the twentieth-century Cold War. Assessment is mostly through written examination: historians learn to be consummate essayists in exam conditions! Psychology is a tough science subject which focuses on analysing and explaining the mind and why we behave as we do. There are many theories that try to answer this difficult question. In the first year of the course psychologists study parent-child attachment, how the memory functions, psychopathology (or aberrant mental states), biopsychology and the importance of social influence on states of mind. As a science, psychology makes use of quantitative and qualitative data, so psychologists must be able to think mathematically. Sociology is the rigorous study of society and the theoretical frameworks used to analyse it. It explores fundamental and often contested questions such as: What is the true nature of society? How should it best be understood and explained? Who holds power, and who benefits from the way society is organised? Core sociological concepts include social class, gender, ethnicity, and the construction of culture itself. Through critical investigation, sociologists examine institutions such as the family, the education system, religion and the criminal justice system, questioning their roles, functions, and impacts in shaping individual lives and wider social structures. Sociologists engage with competing perspectives, including those of Marxism, Functionalism, and Feminism. Sociology also develops the analytical skills needed to interpret and evaluate quantitative and qualitative methods of research and the presentation of data. A successful sociologist must be prepared to challenge assumptions, think independently, and engage critically with the world around them. The Humanities Faculty provides memorable extra-curricular experiences for students including a 4 day trip to Berlin; the opportunity to go to Auschwitz with the Holocaust Memorial Trust; work experience in a range of educational and social care placements; a field trip to Dorset; research at London Zoo and the experience of walking the corridors of power in the GLA and Parliament. We also invite in guest speakers so that you can experience a range of viewpoints. All of the subjects in humanities aim to “open windows on the world”, so if you want to debate, investigate and explore the issues that have shaped and are shaping the world we live in then we look forward to meeting you. |
Subject Information
Politics website
| ||||||||||||||||||
|