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Learning Area Purpose

The purpose of the Humanities is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire a curiosity about the world and its people, in the past, present and future. Learners will develop the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to interpret and articulate the past and the present.  Learners will be given the opportunity to engage with the most important issues facing humanity, such as sustainability and social change.

The Humanities AoLE prepares pupils for futures in which human societies and the natural world continue to interact and change. Supporting learners to understand human societies, experiences and events of the past and present will develop self-awareness, informed viewpoints and a tolerant and empathetic understanding of the varied beliefs, values, traditions and ethics that underpin and shape human society. ​​Developing an understanding of the natural world and the interrelationships between human and physical processes will heighten learners’ awareness of the impact of their actions and those of others, highlighting their responsibilities as a citizen of the world. 

The Humanities AoLE celebrates pupils’ sense of cynefin through the exploration of the stories of the people in their local communities, Wales and the world. Exploring human societies and celebrating identity, heritage and cynefin can influence learners emotionally and spiritually, helping build their sense of self and of belonging. Through an understanding of themselves, learners develop their own identity and an awareness of how they, as individuals, can shape the communities in which they live. Consequently, learners will come to realise that the choices we all make, individually and collectively, can have major impacts on society.

The iThink curriculum will develop:

Ambitious, capable learners, by:

  • An enquiry approach will encourage learners to ask questions, evaluate the evidence that they find and apply and communicate their findings effectively. 
  • Learners develop critical thinking skills and are able to recognise how and why the past and present can be interpreted in different ways.
  • Pupils are able to explain the cause, consequence and significance of past and present human and physical developments at a range of scales.
  • Pupils will be given the opportunity to learn within and outside the classroom. 

Enterprising, creative contributors, by:

  • Learners will explore the challenges facing humanity. Exploring the past and present, learners will have the confidence to propose solutions and ways forward (e.g. Fast Fashion).
  • Social action campaigns.

Ethical informed citizens, by:

  • Learning about the human experiences of those in their local area, Wales and the wider world can help learners discover their heritage and develop a sense of place and cynefin (e.g. Map of Me Project).
  • Citizens of the world.
  • Learners will explore the ethnic and cultural diversity within their communities, Wales and the wider world. They will explore diverse stories, spanning different communities, as well as, in particular, the stories of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people. 
  • Learners will have the opportunity to take part in social action, encouraging learners to contribute positively to their own communities, Wales and the wider world.  (e.e. KIVA Fair).
  • Learners will explore how government and decision-making works in Wales and beyond, and be empowered to contribute, scrutinise and challenge.

Healthy, confident individuals, by:

  • Learners will be given opportunities to express, discuss and justify personal perspectives and opinions on a range of issues such as  ethical challenges, religious, non-religious,  world views and social inclusion issues. 
  • Reflective, resilient learners.