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:
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History and Economics
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Religious Studies
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Geography
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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)):
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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:
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Mid Tudor Crises
The Renaissance
A2 units:
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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:
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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.