In Humanities we are introduced to people we have never met, places we have never visited, and ideas that may have never crossed our minds. By showing how others have lived and thought about life, the humanities subjects help us decide what is important in our own lives. By connecting us with other people, they point the way to making decisions about what is right and wrong. Within humanities pupils learn how to think creatively and critically, to reason, and to ask important questions about life and community.

The humanities department at St Mark’s provides students with a safe and stimulating learning environment where all learners feel they have the confidence to make a positive contribution and give their opinion on a range of moral, social, geographical and historical ideas. Lessons teach pupils to be tolerant members of the wider community through understanding how history, geography, religion and culture link us together in our society. Lessons provide a global awareness that helps students to appreciate their own cultural and religious identity as well as those of others.

Throughout KS3 pupils are regularly assessed allowing teachers to assess the skills that pupils develop throughout a unit. At KS4 humanities provides learners with a varied curriculum offer, including GCSE courses in Religious Studies, Geography, History and Sociology. Our KS5 curriculum includes History, Psychology, Sociology and Religion and Ethics (Philosophy) at A Level. Travel and Tourism has also been offered this year as a level 3 BTEC qualification.
The humanities department is going through change in 2015-16 as we adapt to new examinations and GCSEs. We are adapting the curriculum so that each subject is teaching pupils the skills that they will need to progress as much as they are able according to GCSE standards. We aim to equip every child with the tools that they will need to communicate with others in a structured and convincing way.

I find the RE lessons at St Mark’s mentally stimulating.”

^{(student quote from the Section 48 inspection)}

"I love Geography and History because they are really enjoyable. When we do assessments I can see that I am making good progress."  

^{(Wajahat, Year 8)}

“I love PSHE because we can actually contribute and have debates and discussions. I like that we have a good relationship with our teacher, that’s what makes it even more rewarding.”

^{(Narisa, Year 9)}

"I like History, Geography and RE because the teachers make the lessons really interesting. I know I am doing well because of my assessment levels."  

^{(Jack, Year 7)}