Humanities

Welcome to Humanities

Initially qualifying as a teacher of French and English (University of Manchester and Montpellier, France) my career has encompassed teaching French and English in both state and independent schools in England and Australia.

On returning to the UK, my career included leading English in various state schools, with wide experience at Key Stage 2 and a marker for Pearson Education. I was a member of the Senior Management Team in a state school before joining Gateway and taking up my role as a teacher of English, with responsibility for Humanities.

Geography and History are about understanding our complex world, appreciating cultures across continents and using knowledge to bridge divides and bring people together.

We are fortunate in being able to explore The Chilterns and inquiry based, age appropriate learning features strongly throughout the school. Pupils are encouraged to explain why geographical features are located where they are.

History at Gateway is important as it is defines ourselves and who we are as a nation. The objective is to make the study of the past interesting and enjoyable so the children are motivated to understand the present and future, to identify bias and truth and act as independent thinkers

From Early Years to Year 4, Humanities is integrated into the English curriculum, where stories, characters and evidence, can be fully brought to life. Story writing, (based on historical evidence), discussion, oral skills are all important and discovered through puppetry, Drama, ICT and Art. ‘Class Museums’ are a favorite way of bringing history to life.

The focus of each year group’s learning may be seen as ‘chapters’ to form a ‘book’ where topics are explored, revisited over the course of a child’s time at school and form interweaving strands.

Geographical and historical skills are assimilated into each scheme of work, whilst in Years 5 and 6 they are consolidated and extended as discrete subjects.

Gateway places an emphasis on lively, exciting day and residential excursions, linked to the Humanities curriculum and designed to inspire.

Denise Poor, Humanities Subject Leader