SSCS - Culture and Heritage Department

Welcome to ‘Culture & Heritage’ – the most dynamic and progressive faculty within South Shields Community School.

Culture and Heritage is all about people. How we live; what is important to us; what we believe and how we express this; how we react to, and interact with the world around us; and how we can learn from the past.

The aim of the faculty is to combine the traditional subjects of Geography, History and Religious Studies in a new and dynamic way, that highlights students’ understanding of the local, regional, national and global communities to which we all belong. Lessons are based on the latest research and understanding of how the brain works and how we learn. Through each of the themes studied, students are encouraged to develop an enquiry based approach to learning, and to become increasingly independent in their own learning.

Key Stage 3

As Students join the school in Year 7, they consider what makes South Shields, and the north east, the special and unique part of the country that it is. Students then consider the local history that has shaped and influenced our region. A study of how rivers are formed, leads to students considering how the Port of Tyne has developed, and how it links South Tyneside to the rest of the world. Finally, students consider how South Shields has become such a diverse and multi-cultural town, by enquiring about the different cultures and religions represented around Ocean Road.

In Year 8, students investigate the factors that have led to city of Durham becoming a World Heritage City. Students then consider the question of ‘Is Britain Still Great?’, by investigation key aspects of our country’s history; considering if there is an ‘ultimate’ British invention; questioning if we still have a religious identity as a country; and evaluating the extent to which we are maintaining our traditional customs and culture. Students then learn about Europe, and what gives it its unique identity; why the European Union was created and how it works; and consider if it is in Britain’s interest to be part of the European Union, or if we should be fully independent as a country. Finally, students consider the changing relationship between religion and science as a result of Darwin developing his theory of evolution.

In Year 9, students consider the influence and impact of Tourism and the Leisure industry on different areas around the world. Students consider what South Shields does to attract tourists, before investigating USA as a tourist destination. Students then consider the issue of suffering around the world. This leads to them distinguishing between suffering caused by nature and the world around us, and suffering that we cause to each other by our own actions. Students then evaluate how different religions respond to the claim that there can not be a God because there is so much suffering in the world. Finally, students consider development in the world, and investigate what changes we might need to make in order to ensure that the future of the world and its resources are sustainable for generations to come.

As they progress through Year 7 to 9, students also study our ‘Learning to Learn’ course within the faculty. This is a dynamic course developed and delivered by our team of Advanced Skills Teachers (AST’s), which equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to become independent lifelong learners. The course is rich and varied in terms of the subject matter it covers, with much of the focus being on students developing their personal, social and health awareness.

Key Stage 4

All students in Key Stage 4 complete our ‘Values and Lifestyle’ course. This combines Personal, Social and Health Education, with wider skills such as preparation for Work Experience. Students also study aspects of Religious Studies through a series of Theme Days, where the timetable is collapsed to give the year group a collective experience relating to spiritual awareness or different religions responses to a range of contemporary moral issues.

At Key Stage 4, students are also given the opportunity to study a range of subjects within the faculty that lead to GCSE or equivalent qualifications. We currently offer students the opportunity to achieve a GCSE in Geography, History and Religious Studies, and a BTEC double award in Travel & Tourism.