The curriculum and teaching of Humanities is for the most part pupil led. At its core is History and Geography but also incorporates Business Studies and has a large cross curricular role in assisting in the delivery of citizenship, PSHE and outdoor education. However what ever is actually taught is usually generated from the ideas of pupils.

The main aim of the teaching is to encourage pupils to take a genuine interest and where possible generate enthusiasm in topics. the atmosphere in the classroom is deliberately relaxed, but there is an expectation for learning to take place. Pupils are encouraged to discuss ideas and to support each other.

In the lower school the content of the curriculum and the style of its delivery is usually driven by the interests and needs of the individual pupils. Occasionally the curriculum is and identifying holes in the pupils knowledge and skills base. Pupils are expected to research and resource their own learning primarily through the internet and through the quite large selection of resource books in the classroom. The books also include a wide selection of 'Horrible Histories'. Pupils are also encouraged to develop resources for other pupils.

In Years 9, 10 and 11 the curriculum becomes more structured. In Year 9 the pupils study World War One as preparation for GCSE History and study Africa as an in depth study. Other topics can be taught, again at the request of pupils.

In Year 10 pupils usually take the GCSE short course in Geography. They produce a course work project on traffic problems in Ripon. Pupils collect data including conducting a questionnaire with the general public. Those pupils who do not want to take Geography are given the opportunity to take GCSE Business Studies. Here the course work is based on producing a feasibility study on running a tuck shop. Other pupils who are not interested in either help to contribute to the school magazine.

An advantage to the pupils taking an Exam in Year 10 is that they learn about the nature of GCSE's. In the first place they have to develop the self discipline to produce a lengthy piece of course work and find out how much work including effective revision is required to succeed. The results from the Year 10 pupils are used for teachers to assist in developing strategies to be applied in Year 11.

In Year 11 the majority of pupils study GCSE History. This is a popular option. The majority of the content is delivered through power point presentations or as the pupils refer to it as 'sixties slide shows.' The Power Point allows for a stimulating and inter active style of teaching. Some pupils research on the internet for additional information as the lesson is being taught, others contribute to improving the Power Point presentation. Many pupils find the open nature of the GCSE exam difficult and in some cases threatening. Some boys who feel they will have great difficulty with the exam take the course but do not enter the examination in the summer. The majority of pupils take an additional exam instead of doing course work. This reduces the amount of the pressure on the pupils with the large demands for course work from other subjects.

Some pupils can take GCSE PE as an option instead of History.