Parkhill Secondary School

Parkhill School Social Subjects Department

Rational/Mission Statement

The main aim of the department is to achieve the best for all of our young people and to develop both the young person's understanding of today’s world as well as how they interact and can take part in society.

We hope that pupils will enjoy their time in Social Studies and that our curriculum offers a wide range of engaging learning activities.

This handbook is designed as an informative document for prospective pupils & parents, to teachers, head teachers and outside agencies. It should be read in conjunction with other documentation within the department (schemes of work; course specifications; SQA documents; School Handbook), which should give the full overview of current practice and the expectations and responsibilities of a Social Studies teacher at Parkhill Secondary School.

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the department reflect the aims of the school.

Our aims and objectives are:

·         To consider every student of equal value and importance, regardless of age, ability gender, religion or ethnicity and to set a good example to the students. .

·         To be aware of our students’ individual  needs to enable them to participate fully in society.

·         To teach and provide the national curriculum entitlement for all students and to follow the guidelines laid down in the framework for teaching both Social Subjects and Modern Studies.

·         To recognise that children learn in different ways and so to provide varied and stimulating learning activities for all our students.

·         To assess students’ progress regularly, and to monitor progress using data and IEPs to inform planning.

·         To encourage and reward the highest possible standard of achievement so that all students can realise their full potential.

·         To give students the confidence and encouragement to develop them as independent learners.

·         To enrich the curriculum by providing opportunities for visits, outings, museum trips and places of interest.

·         To carry out the aims, principles and development of practice of the Teaching and Learning Policy of the school.

·         To use finances in resources in a way which are beneficial to all students.

·         To establish positive links with parents.

Curriculum

Broad General Education

From S1 until the end of S3, all pupils will experience a broad general education where they will work across the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence using the following topics.

 S1- Weather & Climate, Local Area Study & Romans in Britain

 S2- Rights of the Child, Working Children & Evacuees /WWII

 S3- New Lanark Study, Scotland & China & JFK (USA)

Pupils will be working on Experiences and Outcomes at a level appropriate to their ability. The course prepares pupils for qualifications at National 2, National 3 or National 4 in S4 onwards in the Senior Phase.

Senior Phase

In the Senior phase, pupils will have 3 periods per week . Current courses are:

·         Social Subjects at National 2 level -  Making a Decision,  Making a Contrast  and Organising and Communicating Information

• Modern Studies courses are delivered at National 3 and National 4 levels using the following topics.

Democracy,  Crime & Punishment  and  Terrorism.