Humanities

Geography

Geography aims to help students to develop a sense of place at a local, national and global scale. This is to aid their social development as global citizens.
 
Geography broadens the mind as students encounter different societies and cultures from the self-sufficient Yanomani Indians of the Amazon rainforest, to the capitalist driven societies of the Western world. This can inspire pupils to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and to the environment.
 
Geography raises a much needed awareness of the fragile interrelationship between the human and natural worlds. At a time when growing concerns about the environment make the news headlines daily and with the advent of global warming, there hasn't been a better time to study Geography.

History

Lower school History teaches students about the development of modern Britain from 1066 onwards, including topics such as religious conflict and the development of the modern political system in Britain.
 
Once secure in understanding the History of Britain, students concentrate on Britain's place in International World History, through topics such as slavery and the civil rights movement in America, Indian independence and the end of the British Empire and the two World Wars.
 
This approach aims to help students to gain a sense of international community and a collective responsibility to prevent and react to events such as the Holocaust. Students use ICT, engage in debate and discussion and develop research skills for project work. In short, the study of History is used as a vehicle for students to develop key skills that will be useful in all aspects of life.

Religious Studies

Learning about and learning from religion is to share in the quest for well-being.  Religious Education at Manchester Academy recognises that good learning arises from fostering growth and development in the attitudes of self-awareness, respect for all, open mindedness and appreciation and wonder. The knowledge and empathetic understanding of lives of faith and vision leading to respect for all and open mindedness emerges from attainment target 1.  The dimension of attainment target 2, learning from religion, promotes provision for personal reflection stimulated by this knowledge and understanding and therefore the opportunity for developing self-awareness and experiencing awe and wonder.  Religious Education contributes practical curriculum application to all elements of the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters, but contributes most powerfully towards:  

Be healthy: Children and Young people are mentally and emotionally healthy;

Enjoy and achieve: Children and Young people achieve personal and social development;

Make a positive contribution: Children and Young people develop self confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges.  

Religious Education at Manchester Academy also brings self-awareness and self-knowledge, sensitivity and responsiveness, inner strength and resilience; ideals and aspiration; love and relationships; seeking and striving and reflection on experience.  Religious Education is a compulsory subject which is taught explicitly throughout the key stages. The opportunity for children and young people to express their sense of self and have a belief in their ability to be heard and to seek to make a difference to their communities and environment is all part of the Religious Education learning journey at Manchester Academy.