Social & Global
Head of Department/Faculty
Ms S Curror
scurror@commonweal.co.uk
Overview
The aim of Social and Global Studies is to set students up for life. Teenagers today face a great deal of stress and worry, from exams, bullying, fear of failure, peer pressure and trying to look good. Our aim is to provide the skills, knowledge, confidence and language to empower and enable students to think through their issues and know where to seek help.
We need to prepare students for the issues they face today, but also their future. A healthy body and mind equals a successful future. Research has shown that there is a direct link between emotional and physical health and academic performance (Bonell et al 2014, British Medical Journal).
The nature of our curriculum is ever changing in order to keep up with world affairs and to ensure learning is as relevant as possible.
Tops Tips to do well in Social and Global Studies
-
Open your eyes and ears.
Pay attention to what is going on in the world around you by looking at the news and talking about the current issues.
-
Look after yourself.
The skills and knowledge learnt in social science will set you up for your exams, and later life. By working hard in social science you’re setting yourself up for future success.
-
Express yourself.
Explain your views and opinions and be open to the thoughts of others. This way you will gain a wider perspective on key issues and improve your skills of persuasion and debate.
-
PEEL through your work.
PEEL stands for point, evidence, explain, link. When you’re answering questions about a topic make sure you begin with a clear point, back up your point with evidence and explain what your point means. Then link that paragraph to the next one you are writing.
-
Be respectful.
Empathy is a skill we learn throughout social science lessons, make sure that you listen carefully to others and try and place yourself in their shoes.
The Curriculum
Social and Global Studies is taught from Y7 – Y11. You will have two lessons per fortnight in Years 7 – 10 and one lesson per fortnight in Year 11. In each year you will cover units on Global Issues, Physical and Mental Health, Relationships, Futures and Careers. Years 10 and 11 also includes RPE units of work.
Some of the topics covered by year group: (for more details and additional topics please check the curriculum maps for each year)
Year 7
- The Commonweal Way
- Sleep
- Road/Rail safety
- Mental Health
- Loss
- Addiction, including smoking and vaping
- The UN Global Goals
- Friendship
- Green careers
Year 8
- Our Democratic system
- Animal Rights
- Racism in society
- Wealth and Poverty
- Welfare and the NHS
- Misogyny
- Online safety
- Mental Health
Year 9
- Knife and Gun Crime
- Drug abuse (illegal and prescription)
- Mental Health
- Healthy relationships – consent and abuse
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Gambling
- Identity theft and fraud
- Genocide
Year 10
- Torture and Disappearance
- The Rules of War
- Mental Health
- Healthy eating and eating disorders
- Preparing for Work Experience
- CVs and Interviews
- Workers rights, payslips tax and pensions
- RPE
- Public Sexual Harassment
- FGM / Honour crimes
- Misogyny
Year 11
- RPE
- Healthy bodies, cancer
- Pressure to have sex
- STIs
- Contraception
- Pregnancy, miscarriage, PND
- Life as a teen parent, finances
- University life and Apprenticeships
Independent learning
There are three main types of homework:
- Tasks which prepare or consolidate learning in lessons
- Home learning projects. Students will have mini-projects to research
- Improvement/completing work
Enrichment and trip possibilities
- Amnesty International student group
- A range of speakers on different issues
Curriculum Maps
Social Science Thematic Overview
362.70 KB
Curriculum Maps - Social and Global Studies Year 11
77.16 KB
Curriculum Maps - Social and Global Studies Year 10
102.89 KB
Curriculum Maps - Social and Global Studies Year 9
75.67 KB
Curriculum Maps - Social and Global Studies Year 8
106.05 KB
Curriculum Maps - Social and Global Studies Year 7
75.72 KB