THE CASTLE SCHOOL THORNBURY THE CASTLE SCHOOL HUMANITIES FACULTY Welcome to the Humanities Faculty at Castle School. The Humanities Faculty is seeking to appoint a Teacher of Sociology (GCSE & A Level) and Psychology (A Level only) from September 2012 onwards following the recent promotion of Jessica Marston. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, enthusiastic and effective teacher as s/he will join a very high achieving department within a dynamic and forward thinking Humanities Faculty. The ability to teach other subjects such as Business Studies would be advantageous though not essential. E. Friel i/c Humanities Faculty (June 2012) Information about the Humanities Faculty The Humanities Faculty is a large, successful and forward-looking Faculty. There are 20 full time, 5 part-time teachers and a part-time Humanities Curriculum Administrator. The present Humanities leadership and management structure is as follows: Head of Humanities: Head of Geography: Head of History: Head of Business Studies: Head of RS: Subject Leaders: Sociology: Subject Leader of Psychology: Subject Leader of Economics: Learning Co-ordinators: Eamonn Friel Chris Giles Eamonn Friel Julie Turner Mary-Anne Willmott Rebecca Wheeler & Jessica Marston Eva Lowenburg Jane Bowler Glynne Hartle, Emma Stubbs, Frances Isaac, Helen Stedman We consistently achieve excellent results across the full age range of ability in terms of raw scores, distance from targets and residuals. GCSE uptake is high with virtually all students doing at least one full GCSE Humanities subject; so too at A level where there are regularly 14 AS and A2 classes with around 200 students taking at least one of the A levels offered. A small number of Year 13 students study an AS in World Development. In Year 7 students have 5 periods of Humanities taught by Humanities staff. In Years 8, there are 9 periods of Humanities with students taught 3 periods of History, Geography and Religious Studies by subject specialists. In Year 9, the sane model applies however in Religious Studies all students start their full – course GCSE. All classes are taught in mixed ability groups. There are two Gifted and Talented classes in Year 9. The setting of these classes has been very successful in terms of improved teacher assessments and GCSE uptake. At GCSE and A Level, all classes are mixed ability. We are fortunate in having a dedicated classroom equipped with 24 computers and all of our 14 classrooms have recently been fitted with digital projectors. The Humanities Faculty is highly respected for commitment and innovation. We work very hard to maintain standards and to ensure that our students enjoy and succeed in their learning .The Humanities Faculty provides a huge variety of exciting out of classroom activities that enhance the learning and raise achievement. These include many visits to local and regional sites as well as visits to Berlin and Florence. There are also excellent relationships with Higher Education Institutions and Subject Associations. The faculty is divided into 4 main departments: - History and Economics - Religious Studies - Geography - Business and Social Sciences ( including Sociology, Psychology and Travel and Tourism) On the following pages, you will find information about the departments and subjects that make up the Humanities Faculty. If there are any questions that you would like answering about the post or the school in general having surveyed the information then please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. We look forward to receiving your application. Eamonn Friel DEPARTMENTAL AND SUBJECT INFORMATION The Castle School Business Studies and Social Sciences Department Business and Social Sciences Department combines 4 subjects namely Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Psychology and Sociology under the leadership of Julie Turner. Who’s Who? Business Studies (GCSE & A Level) Travel and Tourism (A Level) Psychology (A Level) Sociology (GCSE & A Level) Julie Turner, Claire Bowers, Jodie Watts Jodie Watts, Claire Bowers Eva Lowenberg, Claire Bowers, Jessica Marston Jessica Marston, Rebecca Wheeler GCSE and AS Level Sociology Sociology is a popular subject at both GCSE and A Level. Typically, there are two GCSE groups in both Years 10 and 11 with one A Level group in Years 12 and 13. Results at both GCSE and A Level have been amongst the best in the school. Currently, there are two teachers who share the teaching of GCSE and A Level Sociology. Curriculum GCSE: Currently, there are 3 GCSE Sociology groups – Year 10 x 1: Year 11 x 2. Both Year 10 and 11 students are following the WJEC Sociology syllabus Unit 1: Understanding the inter – relationship between individuals, groups and institutions within society Unit 2: Understanding the sociological debates and theories with reference to people and society Optional topics: Family and the Household and Education (Year 10); Crime and Deviance and Power and Politics (Year 11) Sociology is very well resourced in both Year 10 and 1. In Year 11, students visit Bristol Crown Courts as part of their study of the topic “Crime and Deviance”. GCSE Sociology produces consistently good results and many students choose to take the subject at A Level. A Level: Currently, there are 2 A Level Sociology groups – Year 12 (AS) x 1; Year 13 (A2) x 1. Both AS and A2 courses following the AQA syllabus.. AS: Unit 1 - Family and the Household Unit 2 – Education (Research) A2: Unit 3 – Beliefs in Society Unit 4 – Crime and Deviance (Research) The AS and A2 courses have been carefully re – written and resourced in the past three years. As with GCSE, A Level Sociology results have consistently been among the best in the school. Accommodation There is a dedicated Sociology classroom at the Sixth Form Centre equipped with a white board, digital projector and DVD/VCR facility. GCSE Sociology is taught within the suite of classrooms on the main site of the school. All classrooms are equipped with digital projectors and DVD/VACR facilities; some lessons are taught in the faculty’s computer room with access to 20 computer. A Level Psychology A Level Psychology is one of the most popular subjects at the VI Form Centre attracting large numbers of students. Psychology results at AS and A2 are consistently amongst the best results in the school. Currently, there are three teachers who share the teaching of A Level Psychology. Curriculum A Level: Currently, there are 3 A Level Psychology groups in both Year 12 and 13. Both AS and A2 courses following the AQA (A) syllabus. AS : Unit 1 - Memory; Attachment; Research Methods Unit 2 – Stress; Social Influences; Individual Differences A2 : Unit 3 – Sleep; Aggression; Gender Unit 4 – addiction; Schizophrenia; Research Methods The AS and A2 courses have been carefully re – written and resourced in the past year. Accommodation There is a dedicated Psychology classroom at the Sixth Form Centre equipped with a white board, digital projector and DVD/VCR facility. There is a well – stocked library and computer room which can be booked by colleagues. The Castle School Geography Department Geography is traditionally a popular and thriving subject at Castle in which, after the Key Stage 3 years, large numbers of students continue to study at GCSE and A level. The Department is proud of its track record of excellent performance at Key Stage 4 and 5, and of innovation and curriculum development at Key Stage 3. Who’s who ? Chris Giles: Helen Stedman: Andy Grant: Garry Atterton: Peter Smart: Iestyn Davies: Lucy Harding: Head of Geography Second in Department Teacher of Geography and Humanities, associate member of School leadership Team (SLT); LSP in Year 7. Teacher of Geography and Humanities, Advanced Skills Teacher in Geography Teacher of Geography, Assistant Head Teacher Teacher of Geography, Assistant Head Teacher Teacher of Geography (part – time) Curriculum Key Stage 3 All students are taught ‘Humanities’ in mixed ability tutor groups in Years 7 and 8.In Year 7, students are taught 5 lessons per fortnight in year7 and 3 lessons per fortnight in Year 8. Humanities teachers are expected to teach History and RE units in year 7 in addition to the Geography units listed below; Year 7 – What is Geography, Wonderful Landscapes, Urban Jungles, Fantastic Places, Issues in Sustainability (1) Year 8 – Tourism, Geography of India, the Rainforest, Issues in Sustainability (2) In Year 9, students continue to be taught in either mixed ability groups or in a ‘Gifted and Talented’ group. For each Geography class taught, year 9 Geography teachers teach 3 lessons per fortnight. The units currently taught are: The Developing World, Natural Hazards, Geography of Crime, Geography of Sport, Climate Change, the Developed World GCSE Currently there are a total of 7 GCSE Geography groups in years 10 and 11, all of which are mixed ability. Students are taught 5 lessons per fortnight. The Department currently teachers the WJEC syllabus. Modules covered are: Physical Systems, Natural Hazards, Economic Systems, Population and Settlement, plus Individual Coursework and a Decision Making Paper A Level Currently there are 2 AS and 2 A2 classes. Approximately 60 students study Geography each year in the Sixth Form. Students are taught 10 lessons per fortnight. The Department currently teaches the WJEC Syllabus, although will be shortly moving over to the WJEC syllabus. AS Units – Physical Systems - Human Systems - Geographical Investigations 1 (Individual Coursework) A2 Units – Issues in the Environment - Issues in Sustainability - Geographical Investigations 2 (Individual Coursework) Accommodation and Resources The Geography Department teaches in classrooms L7, L8 and T4 on the main site, and exclusively in G7 at the Sixth Form Site. Room L8 is fully equipped with 24 computer terminals and interactive white board. All classrooms are fitted with digital projectors. Teachers are also sometimes timetabled in one of the other Humanities classrooms on the main site. The Geography Department is also well equipped in general resources, including a range of textbooks across all the key stages. With new curriculums currently rolling out across all age ranges, the Department is currently in the process of reviewing and rewriting detailed schemes of work, teacher’s notes and lesson plans, and differentiated materials. Trips The Department believes strongly in the value of fieldwork and organises a number of trips for our students: Key Stage 3 – Slimbridge Wetland Centre Key Stage 4 – Coursework at Bristol Harbour side (plus the Department is hoping to embed a residential trip at this key stage) Key Stage 5 – Pembrokeshire and Dorset In addition, the Department has strong links with the local universities, and for the benefit of our students, regularly organises conference sessions at these venue or welcomes visiting lecturers. The Castle School History and Economics Department History is a popular and thriving subject at Castle with interest in the subject growing steadily in recent years at GCSE and A Level in particular. The Department has a long established track record of very good exam performance and a history of innovation and curriculum development at Key Stage Three. Since September 2009, A Level Economics has been incorporated within the History Department. Who’s Who? Eamonn Friel: Frances Isaac: Paul Nicholson; Rebecca Maurice: Laura Russell: Emma Colwill: Jane Bowler Head of History Second in Department History teacher and Head of Sixth Form Teacher of History and Humanities (part – time) Teacher of History and Humanities (part – time) Teacher of History and Humanities (part – time) Teacher of Economics and Humanities Curriculum: Key Stage Three: All students are taught “Humanities” in mixed ability tutor groups in Years 7.Humanities teachers are expected to teach Geography and RS units in addition to the History units in Year 7. Thereafter, in years 8 and 9, History is taught by subject specialists (3 lessons per fortnight). Year 7: What is History? ; Local Study; Empire and Slavery; Bristol’s Recent Year 8: Medieval Britain; Early Modern Britain; Industrial Britain Year 9: World War One & Twentieth Century World GCSE: Currently there are 10 GCSE History groups, all of which are mixed ability. Students are taught 5 lessons per fortnight. Syllabus – OCR SHP (J415)): - Study in Development: either Medicine or Crime Study in Depth: Germany 1918 – 45 History around Us: Thornbury Castle (Controlled assessment) A Level: There are currently 3 AS and 3 A2 classes, numbering c.65 students. Students are taught 10 lessons per fortnight. Syllabus – OCR A Level History: Early Modern History. AS units: - Mid Tudor Crises The Renaissance A2 units: - Oliver Cromwell (Interpretations and Investigations) England’s Changing relationship with her Neighbours (Themes) Accommodation and Resources The History Department has two teaching rooms on the main site (L6 & T3) though teachers are sometimes timetabled in one of the other Humanities rooms. At the Sixth Form, all History lessons are taught in G12 which has a digital projector. The History Department is well equipped with a range of resources. At Key Stage Three, there are detailed Schemes of Work, teachers’ notes and lesson plans, a range of tasks and differentiated materials. Visits The Department organises a number of visits all of which have contributed to the popularity of the subject: Year 8: one day trip to Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey Year 9: three day trip to the World War Battlefields (optional) Year 11: three day trip to Berlin Years 12: five day trip to Florence The Castle School Religious Studies Department The RS Department at the Castle school has under gone significant change and growth over the last three years and has established itself as a strong core subject within the curriculum. We are a hard working department with a team approach which has proved to be invaluable in the development of teaching and learning opportunities across the key stages. The department is presently made up of four specialist teachers. Who’s Who? Mary-Anne Willmott: Emma Stubbs: Glynne Hartle: Melanie Graham: Head of Department Second in Department Teacher of RS Teacher of RS Curriculum Key Stage Three: All students are taught ‘Humanities’ in mixed ability tutor groups in Years 7 & 8. Humanities teachers are expected to contribute to the delivery of Geography, History and RS units. The RS units are: Year 7: Communications, Celebrations and Local RS. Year 8: Introduction to ‘World Religions’, ‘Precious Objects, Precious Places’ and ‘Miniature Heroes’. GCSE: All students start their Religious Studies GCSE in Year 9 completing the course over three years. Students follow the Edexcel ‘Religion and Life’ GCSE full course, which covers a range of topics including ‘Religion and the Media’ and ‘Matters of life and death’. We use a range of ‘Teaching and Learning’ styles including film, discussion and modeling of exam question answers. A Level: There are two large AS/A2 groups following the Edexcel ‘Philosophy and Ethics’ course. Students are taught 10 lesson per fortnight which are distributed across the timetables of the three full time members of staff. AS Coursework: Philosophy: Miracles, the Design argument, the Cosmological argument, the Problem of Evil and Suffering. Ethics: War and Peace, Sexual Ethics, Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics and the Relationship between Religion and Morality. A2 Synoptic Assessment: This accounts for 50% of the A2 mark. Philosophy: Religious Experience, Life after Death, Religious Language, Proof and Probability, Ontological Argument. Ethics: Natural Law, Emotivism and Intuitionism, Deontology, ‘Authority, Justice, Law and Punishment’, critiques of the relationship between Religion and Morality. Accommodation and Resources The RS department has three teaching rooms on the main site L9/T5/T6 though teachers are sometimes timetabled in one of the other Humanities rooms. At the sixth form, all RS lessons are taught in G6 which has a digital projector. The Humanities faculty has recently undergone a major refurbishment of its ICT facilities with a new suite of computers in L8 and the fitting of digital projectors in most teaching rooms on the main site. The RS department has schemes of work and lesson plans, as well a good selection of resources for all key stage 3 topics. We have sets of textbooks for both the short course and full course GCSE and we have just purchased a set of text books to be used with Year 13. Trips The RS department have been involved in a number of ‘out of school’ learning opportunities including; Year 7 Local RS: visits to local religious communities and places of worship. Year 8: ‘Places of worship’ visit to Bristol. Year 11: three day trip to Berlin - this was a joint venture with History.