Humanities

The study of humanities, history and geography, allows children to investigate topics of interest and to discuss complex ideas, often well beyond the level permitted by their basic skills.

Topics are taught through integrated projects chosen to stimulate interest, feed curiosity, broaden interests and foster a love of learning.  Lessons focus on providing practical experience and often make use of visitors to the school, videos, photographs, artefacts, displays, art work and role play to stimulate enthusiasm and aid understanding.   Also, the children regularly undertake personal research projects.  The skills of investigation, observation, data collection, interpretation and research are developed in a 'real context' through field work and visits, including overnight trips.    

Educational visits are a very important part of primary education and greatly add to the children's enjoyment of school.  Whenever possible, humanities projects are enhanced by at least one appropriate outing.  The school has two sixteen-seat minibuses, with lap and diagonal seat belts, which enables trips to be undertaken easily.  Henley-on-Thames, the river and the surrounding countryside provide many opportunities for local study including surveys of traffic, land use, shops and leisure activities.  Further afield the children have visited museums in Oxford and London.  Porchester Castle, H.M.S. Victory and the Cotswold Wildlife Park have been popular destinations.  The older children have attended concerts at the Festival Hall and also visited the Globe theatre as part of a project on Shakespeare.  Regular visits to local theatres are arranged for children of all ages.   

Our field trip programme begins in year 3 with an overnight trip.  From year 4, extended field trips are undertaken as part of history and geography combined studies.  Amongst others, we have undertaken field trips to Ironbridge, Canterbury ( including a day trip to France), The New Barn Field Centre in Dorset and The Forest of Dean.