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Humanities

Business

Our Business courses analyse business operations, but the scope of learning is global.

Business is a dynamic subject and our diverse department has energetic, experienced practitioners, including industry experts. Students work in state-of-the-art Business classrooms, where Old Brentwoods and numerous parent entrepreneurs regularly contribute to lessons.

Students will learn how management, leadership and decision-making can improve performance in marketing, operational, financial and human resources. Students will also explore the interrelated nature of business activities and how they affect businesses, be they large or small, UK or internationally focussed and in different sectors such as service or manufacturing.

Studying A Level Business provides an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions – all skills that are needed for further study and employment. 

"This course has allowed me to have a deeper insight into the strategic running of a business, understanding the depth of decision making, and how this affects different functional areas of a firm."

The BTEC National Extended Diploma is proving to be a very popular course with an ever-increasing demand. The main reason for this is the direct relevance the subject has to any future career that you may choose to pursue. The vocational nature of the course compliments the theoretical knowledge delivered, so students will develop skills transferable to future study and the world of work. You will learn what it entails to set up and operate as a sole trader, how a PLC is structured, and all of the options in between. The skills you will develop on this course will be valued by employers in every sector. The benefits will also be relevant on a personal level as the knowledge gained will be used in everyday life as you manage your personal finances, and will prepare you for living life immersed in a world affected by the business environment in which we live.

And if all of this isn’t enough, our students have the opportunity to go to New York or San Francisco, depending on the course being studied, to experience businesses in action!


Economics

The study of Economics is not about money or stock markets but rather about how society approaches scarcity and choice. Resources are finite and thus consumers, businesses and governments must make choices. Businesses must decide how much to produce, what price to sell their products and what wage to pay their workers. Consumers must decide how much to buy at that price and workers must decide how many hours to work at going wage rates. Governments must make decisions about whether and how to intervene in markets through taxes, subsidies and regulations. Governments and central banks also make decisions about taxes, spending and interest rates to affect the level of economic growth, inflation, unemployment and trade.    

Whilst studying Economics at Brentwood you will develop clear and logical thinking and an analytical approach to problem-solving, as well as an ability to look for the wider implications of any event. Although the emphasis throughout the course will be on understanding current economic issues and events, you will need to acquire a good understanding of the theoretical principles and techniques that economists use to make sense of those events. No prior subject knowledge is required but a good grade in Mathematics GCSE is essential, as is the ability to think and write clearly and cogently.


Geography

Where are we, where have we been and where are we going? Combining the intricacies of the natural world with the impact of humans produces a wealth of fascinating topics to study. That’s the beauty of Geography.

Geography is the study of the Earth’s landscapes, people, places and environments. It is unique in bridging the social sciences (Human) with the natural sciences (Physical). Geography puts this understanding of social and physical processes within the context of places and regions - recognising the great differences in cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and the links between them. Learning through geography – whether gained through formal learning or through travel, fieldwork and expeditions – helps us all to become more socially and environmentally sensitive, informed and responsible citizens for the future.

Our syllabus integrates scientific precision with human interaction and develops vital skills, such as map reading, problem-solving and decision-making. Students learn to make connections between scientific factors and sociological, psychological and historical reasons for why the world is as it is.

"I enjoy learning about Geography because I am able to use my knowledge and skills from the subject into real-life situations, helping me to better understand how the world works."

Working in the outdoor classroom of the environment, Brentwood students are able to experience all manner of places in the local area. Visits and practical sessions also enhance their outdoor learning experience from beach cleaning and geocaching to trips to London and Iceland.


History

Studying History enables you to reflect on the past in the present. It is fascinating to understand the evolution of attitudes over time and differing interpretations of events. History is a discipline that gives students an understanding of themselves and others in relation to the world, both past and present.

At Brentwood School, History is a core curriculum subject where students' imaginations and investigative skills are both stimulated and developed. This is not just valuable when comparing historical sources; it is a hugely important life skill.

"As someone with a passion for the subject, History at Brentwood has allowed me to fully realise the depth of my interest. With the support of the department, I have made successful applications to read History at some of the world's best universities."

The teaching of History at Brentwood School balances tradition with innovation. For much of the time, you will be actively engaged on collaborative and investigative projects which provide you with an excellent opportunity to develop your communication and presentation skills. The key objective is always to evaluate sources and produce informed intelligent judgements. Classroom lessons are complemented by research lessons within the award-winning Bean Academic Centre and by the opportunity to participate in trips to historical sites of interest.

Politics

Politics is about how people are governed and how they can take part in government. It is about power; where it lays in different political systems, how individuals acquire it and how they lose it. This means it is about the different organisations, like Parliament and the Cabinet in the UK, and the President in the US, and understanding the decisions that they make and the laws that affect us.

Politics students focus on present-day systems and current issues, using the recent past to understand them and theories to explain them. In a way, History is about the past and Politics is about the present.   

We teach our students about how the Government is organised, why ministers are appointed and how politicians get elected. We examine how political parties and pressure groups are organised because these are the ways we can all influence the Government’s decisions and change them.

"There is lots of debate and diversity of thought. It is great to broaden your perspectives and hear from those with differing views to your own. It makes you much more open-minded."

In the Lower Sixth Politics course, students study Government in the UK. In the Upper Sixth, students study the US political system.


Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. It is deceptively challenging but the focus on human behaviour ensures that it is consistently gripping and extremely rewarding.  It enables you to appreciate the drives and motivations behind a wide range of behaviours in a non-judgmental but practical way. 

In Psychology, we study the processes that underlie our thoughts, feelings and actions, and encourage students to develop a number of new skills. They analyse and present data, plan and execute research, present a coherent argument, evaluate their own and other peoples' research and understand many of the reasons why people do what they do.

Psychology at Brentwood involves taking a number of different approaches to understand our human behaviour. Are we like animals? Do we remember correctly what we have witnessed? Are we all the same? How are some of us different? What happens when we become mentally ill? How can we improve our memories?

This may be your first experience of learning about people with split brains and what this may mean in relation to perception, consciousness and memory. There will be ample opportunity to make discoveries about positive and negative forms of behaviour, learn how to understand these using the language of psychological perspectives and examine how research can facilitate practical applications to make positive real-world changes in behaviour.


Theology & Philosophy

The history, customs and beliefs of religions have shaped the world’s cultures and civilisations and have yielded wonderful masterpieces of architecture, sculpture and music, and also, of course, have caused conflict and misunderstanding. It has been human beliefs about the divine that underpinned cultural development in most countries. It is impossible to appreciate all of this, without considering the social and religious context in which these religions and teachings were produced. The study of Theology ultimately allows us to understand the very ideas that have shaped civilisation.

In addition, the great philosophers of the world have helped shape how we think and how we interpret the world and encouraged us to ask questions in the pursuit of wisdom.

Many people say this generation of students is the most ethically alert and aware body of thinkers. The room comes alive when we have class discussions about contentious issues.

Theology and Philosophy is the academic study of some of the most powerful, inspirational and emotive ideas in human history. A major component of what it means to be human is to 'believe'. In Theology and Philosophy, we discuss these ideas, where they come from and how they influence and structure believers’ lives. Thinking about these issues makes our students more focused, analytical and skilful in both debate and research.

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