Humanities
Humanities at Berger is driven by exciting, enquiry-based learning. Each lesson builds on the last, guiding children to explore big questions and develop thoughtful, meaningful answers. Learning centres around broad key questions that encourage pupils to use their critical thinking and deeper reasoning skills—skills that are further strengthened through our P4C lessons.
Our Humanities curriculum is proudly cross-curricular. Children are encouraged to make links across subjects, especially through the arts. Teachers carefully select high-quality texts for reading lessons that connect closely with each year group’s topics. Throughout the year, children enjoy a wide range of genres, from fiction to non-fiction, enriching their understanding of the themes they explore.
History:
History at Berger is wonderfully diverse. We celebrate our rich local heritage, and children look forward to Local History Week—a chance to discover Hackney’s vibrant past through the work of local authors, poets, musicians, and artists.
History at Berger is also inclusive. Each topic highlights significant individuals who have contributed to the world but may have been historically overlooked due to their race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality.
Throughout their learning, children are encouraged to investigate sources, evaluate their reliability, and develop a broad understanding of British history. They learn how key events have shaped the country we live in today and how history continues to influence modern life.
Geography
Geography at Berger is a celebration of our world. We immerse children in the cultures of the places they study—through festivals, food, art, and more. Pupils learn about countries and habitats across the globe, comparing them to their own local environment and developing a sense of place in the world.
Geography at Berger is also highly skilled. Using our outdoor space, children develop key geographical skills, learning how human and physical features connect and affect one another. We encourage pupils to think carefully about the impact humans have on the planet and the importance of caring for our shared environment.
Geography topics challenge children to understand how and why places change, and to imagine, predict, and work towards positive futures for our world.