Humanities Faculty
Photo: Key Stage Three pupils enjoying the annual fieldwork trip to Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Business Studies
Business Studies is taught at Advanced Level in Years 12 and 13. Pupils study the AQA Business Studies course. In Year 12 they study two units for the AS course. For Unit 1, pupils study the planning and financing of a business. Pupils go through all the stages an entrepreneur needs to go through to start up in business. They also study where an entrepreneur can raise the finance needed to run a business. For Unit 2 pupils learn about managing a business. This involves studying the main departments of a modern business, including finance, operations, marketing and human resource management.
In Year 13 pupils follow the A2 specification which is divided into two units. For Unit 3 pupils study strategies for success. This involves studying the activities of Public Limited Companies to explain the various factors that determine their success. Unit 4 covers two areas: the external environment and managing change. Pupils study how economic, political and social factors affect business operations. They also study how business plans for and manages changing market conditions.
Pupils are taught in a variety of ways. They are encouraged to research on the internet as there are a number of excellent sites available for Business Studies. They often present their findings to the class as a Powerpoint presentation. All pupils are entered for a national Business Studies competition: The Investment Challenge. Teams from schools across the country enter this competition. Prizes are available at both local and national level for winning teams.
Year 12 pupils assist in Enterprise Day with Year 10 pupils. In 2009, representatives from the JLR Plant at Halewood came for a day to work with pupils on a project to develop a marketing plan for a new eco friendly car.
Geography
Geography at St Edward’s aims to educate pupils about the relationship between people and their environment, global societies, economies, cultures and natural environments. All lessons are taught by four specialist Geography teachers.
"You can travel the seas, poles, and deserts and see nothing. To really understand the world you need to get under the skin of the people and places. In other words, learn about geography. I can't imagine a subject more relevant in schools. We'd all be lost without it." (Michael Palin)
In Lower school, pupils are equipped with the main geographical skills, taught a range of physical and human geography topics and educated about the need to live sustainable lives. Emphasis is on some small projects linked to data collection. Pupils engage in practical fieldwork locally in Year 7 and further afield in Years 8 and 9. In Advent term, Year 9 pupils visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park to view the limestone landscapes they have studied. Planning is in place for a joint Geography/Science Year 8 visit to Hilbre Islands in the Dee Estuary, to take place in Trinity Term 2010. Year 9 pupils take part in the local Geographical Association Quiz each year in the Advent term.
The new controlled assignments at GCSE entail pupils taking part in fieldwork in the Peak District National Park in the Trinity Term. A level fieldwork in smaller groups allows pupils to use more sophisticated measuring instruments to measure physical processes in the field. Hydrology fieldwork is planned for the Trinity term 2010 in the Pennine Hills and on the local coast. GCSE, AS and A Level results in 2009 were testament to this successful department and the hard work of pupils.
A wide range of interactive exercises have been created by the department for all key stages and are available in school and on the Learning Platform. These allow pupils to work independently and are a valuable revision tool. This gained the department Local Authority recognition and valuable funding in recent years.
A former pupil, Dr David Lambert lectures at the Royal Holloway College, University of London, and makes a important contribution to geographical research, running the London Group of Historical Geographers.
History
The History Team consists of six full time specialists who are committed to making History both fun and accessible to all pupils. Teaching is in mixed ability classes with the emphasis on both skills and content. The History Team stimulate and maintain pupils' interests through a variety of teaching and learning styles, encouraging them to be well-motivated and enthusiastic participants in their History lessons.
History requires analytical skills and an inquisitive mind. In other words if you are a little bit nosy and you love a good story, this will be your kind of subject. If you study History you will be following in the foot-steps of some very famous people. Others who decided they loved a good tale or two inlude Ali G, Chris Martin, Dermot Murnaghan, Martin Tyler, Gordon Brown and Prince Charles who are all historians.
At Key Stage 3 pupils study a wide range of historical periods. Pupils are encouraged to improve their knowledge and understanding, as well as their analytical skills, through discussion, presentations, group work and written work. Pupils then use this preparation to construct essays that make clear points backed up by appropriate supporting evidence. Each year group uses a variety of textbooks, view documentaries and have opportunities to use the LRC and internet for extra research.
During the school year pupils are expected to produce 2 or 3 small projects. Competitions are held for one of these projects in each year. For example: Year 8 have to put together a booklet that could be used to explain the Break with Rome to younger children. Year 9 get to decide who has the ‘H Factor’.
History is a popular and successful examination choice. At Key Stage 4 History AQA Modern World is followed and for A level pupils study The Tudors, Vietnam and Civil Rights. Examination results are well above the national average at all Key Stages.
Religious Studies
As a Catholic College the religious dimension of the curriculum is clearly at the heart of St Edwards. It demands a high standard and the RE team delivers this in all aspects of its work as is evidenced by the excellent results obtained at GCSE and A level.
The GCSE is taken in Year 10 by most pupils. The modules studied look at St Mark’s Gospel and Roman Catholic Ethics. The course builds on the work undertaken at Key Stage 3 which follows the Bishops’ syllabus and teaches the pupils about Jesus, the Bible and the Church as well as introducing the three great faiths of Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. In the Trinity Term there is a World Religions Day when the places of worship of these faiths in Liverpool are visited.
Spiritual development is encouraged through Eucharistic Services and other liturgies arranged in collaboration with local clergy as well as retreats offered by the College Chaplain and in the General RE taught to Year 11 and the Sixth Form.
At A level there is a strong interest in Religious Studies with over 50 pupils studying Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. The subject provides an excellent basis for degree courses in a range of subjects but particularly Medicine and Law, although an increasing number of pupils are now going on to read Theology and Philosophy at university. The lectures given by the enigmatic Peter Vardy, the Vice Principal of Heythrop College on various ethical and philosophical issues are always popular.
RE Clubs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays provide an opportunity for pupils to explore issues or sort out misunderstandings through one to one teaching. The RE Department support a number of extra-curricular activities including the Cafod Club and Lourdes.