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Bartley Secondary School

Humanities

Discover how the Humanities Department shapes informed, concerned, and active citizens through inquiry-based learning and real-world experiences.

Last updated 12 May 2026

Vision

The Humanities Department strives to develop students' understanding and appreciation of the environmental, political and socio-cultural inheritance of our nation from a global perspective.

Mission

The Inquiry approach leveraging on experiential learning is advocated by the department to imbue Bartleyans with realistic comprehension of the world around them by expounding the knowledge acquired in the classroom. It is also the undertaking of the department to develop the academic potential of our students as we believe that each Bartleyan can excel. To support our mission, continuous learning leveraging on ICT are the hallmark of our teachers.

By the end of a Bartleyan's education in Bartley Secondary School, a Bartleyan will be able to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills

  • Design research approaches to investigate geographical, historical and social issues

  • Appreciate the complex inter-relationship between man and the environment

  • Demonstrate an accute awareness of global issues.

Signature Programmes

The Humanities seeks to develop the competencies of our students to be informed, concerned and participative citizens by the end of a 10-year Social Studies education. These competencies encompass the body of knowledge, skills and values expressed in the Philosophy of the Humanities are elaborated below.

As informed citizens, students would:

  • understand their identity as Singaporeans with a global outlook;

  • understand different perspectives; view the world with an understanding of the Singapore perspective;

  • apply reflective thought in making quality decisions;

  • analyse, negotiate and manage complex situations; and

  • evaluate information, consider different viewpoints and exercise discernment in reaching well-reasoned conclusions and making responsible decisions.

As concerned citizens, students would:

  • have a sense of belonging to their community and nation;

  • appreciate the importance of engaging in issues of societal concern;

  • be committed to building social cohesion by appreciating diversity in society; and

  • have an awareness of the ethical considerations and consequences of decision-making.

As participative citizens, students would:

  • be motivated to identify issues of concern and take action;

  • be resilient in addressing concerns of the community or society in spite of challenges faced; and

  • be empowered to take personal and collective responsibility for effecting change for the good of society, and serve to make a positive difference to others.

Two school boys in white uniforms use tablets at a desk with a colorful board game sheet in a classroom.

Attempting to solve a puzzle during Humanities week

Students in navy uniforms work on a science activity at a table with worksheets, water bottles, and a plastic container.

Building confidence in our NEWater through water testing

Two people stand before a large display board labeled History Investigation, covered with project posters and text panels.

History students sharing their findings from their Inquiry project

A suited adult addresses a group of uniformed students with backpacks outdoors near a hotel building.

Learning Journey to Battle Box

A group of uniformed students sit on the floor in a gift shop while a man in a suit speaks to them.

Sec 1 History Field Trip

Four smiling schoolgirls in navy uniforms hold papers at an outdoor market with red Chinese lanterns and banners.

Upper Sec Fieldwork

Two school girls in navy uniforms interview a man in a white shirt at an outdoor Asian street festival.

Students conducting a tourism survey with tourists

Students in uniforms lying on a concrete ledge beside a pond in a park, writing in notebooks outdoors.

Students sharing the water testing results

Four students in school uniforms sit around a desk studying open books, one wearing a pink hijab.

Study Session with the teacher