The humanities curriculum at Oldway encompasses learning in history, geography and religious education and seeks to encourage pupils to think creatively; to reason about being human and to ask questions about our world. 

The study of humanities seeks to build two types of knowledge: 

1. substantive knowledge – the knowledge pupils ought to remember and recall 
2. disciplinary knowledge - the sorts of questions, responses, ideas and concepts pupils will UNDERSTAND if they have mastered the subject. In our humanities curriculum, we acknowledge the balance between the macro and the micro and teaching sequences are planned to explore both overarching themes and in-depth studies.

At Oldway, religious education is planned using the Devon and Torbay agreed syllabus. 

The principal aim of religious education (RE) at Oldway is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live. Through RE, pupils gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living with tolerance and respect.

The RE curriculum is designed around these key themes: 

∙ making sense of belief;

∙ making connections; 

∙ understanding the impact of belief