Social Subjects

Social Subjects empowers learners to understand people, places and society. Our core purpose is to challenge misconceptions, encourage pupils to think critically, express themselves, and form their own justified opinions about the world around them. We want learners to question bias, exaggeration and unreliable information and to understand human experiences and perspectives. Everything we do aims to build transferable skills they can carry into life, work and further learning.

How we teach + How we learn

Our curriculum is based on five key subjects: History, Modern Studies, Geography, Travel and Tourism and Politics. Our curriculum meets the needs of all learners by offering levels from National 2 Social Subjects up to Advanced Higher. We enrich our curriculum, BGE and beyond, by offering international excursions to the Battlefields of WW1 and Iceland.

We offer an integrated curriculum within S1 and S2 where teachers take their class through a range of subjects which allows learners to explore the key themes and build on essential skills for the senior phase. Our curriculum is underpinned by a strong linkage to the UNCRC rights of the child and the Sustainable Development Goals, with many starters and plenaries challenging pupils to think outwards. 

In S1 learners develop mapping skills and think critically about the physical and human Geography of the deserts. Within History we challenge misconceptions regarding the beginning of Scotland as a country and reflect on the impact the Romans had on Britain. Modern Studies focuses on building confidence and learners being able to express themselves. This is achieved via an S1 election event and reflection on their lives compared to those living under a dictatorship. 

Into S2 we continue to develop on these key themes and skills. History topics include WW1 and the trade in enslaved Africans. These topics ensure learners can challenge inequality and think critically about why Britain is regarded as a world power. Within Modern Studies we build on this by completing a unit on China where learners can express what a powerful country looks to them, increasing their confidence of justifying their own opinions. learners also complete a unit on the Rights of the Child which ensures learners can reflect on their own rights and challenge misconceptions regarding child labour and child soldiers. Geography solidifies these skills via earth forces where again learners are challenged to form their own opinions on how we can stop hazards becoming disasters. The sustainability unit offers an ample opportunity to reflect on the idea of human life and what we can do to ensure long term sustainability by reflecting on the sustainable development goals. 

Our curriculum is underpinned by being:

• Responsive – linked to the world our pupils live in

• Differentiated – adaptive teaching, offering choice, support and stretch

• Inclusive – representing diverse stories and perspectives

• Skills-focused – building independence, resilience and confidence

• Relevant – local, national and global issues

• Interdisciplinary – connecting learning across subjects

Our self-evaluation processes ensure we are continuing adapting our curriculum to meet the needs of learners. Staff lead on areas such as adaptive teaching, feedback and differentiation to guarantee we offer a curriculum which is relevant and inclusive. 

Course choice at the end of S2 allows pupils to select one or more Social Subjects to explore in greater depth at Options Choice. By the end of the BGE our learners are able to perform at Level 3 and Level 4.

Key Skills Developed

Our core meta-skills:

• Resilience

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Self-awareness

• Problem solving

• Decision making

Skills learners say they develop:

• Analytical skills

• Time management

• Judgement with justification

• Reading and source-handling

• Teamwork and presentation skills

Pathways in Social Subjects:

• Green economy & sustainability

• Travel & tourism

• Civil service & public sector

• Technology & data-driven roles

• Wider areas such as law, media, education and business