Curriculum and Staffing
Through a wide range of topics, students are able to develop a number of key historical skills, such as research, analysis and evaluation. History is taught through a range of resources and techniques, providing interesting, engaging and challenging lessons for students. We also aim to provide opportunities for students to become interested in History beyond the classroom through a number of trips. We hope to inspire students to become interested in the past and for them to see how past events have shaped the world today.
Years 7, 8 and 9
In Year 7 and 8, students develop a solid understanding of British History. Year 7 begin the year with a short topic on the Romans with the aim of developing historical skills. Students learn how to analyse sources and develop their chronological skills. For the remainder of Year 7, students develop these key skills through exploring the topic of Medieval England. In Year 8, students build on these historical skills and investigate key areas of British History, such as the Tudors, The English Civil War and the British Empire.
Students are assessed at the end of each half term, either through a test or a piece of extended writing on the topic they have just learnt. Students will also have an end of year assessment, covering content from all the topics studied throughout the year. Each term students will complete an extended project for homework.
During Year 9, students develop a range of historical skills that they learnt in previous years and build upon these skills in order to prepare them for GCSE. Students develop these skills through investigating key events of the Twentieth Century. These events include the First World War, The Russian Revolution, The Second World and the Cold War.
Students are assessed at the end of each half term, either through a test or a piece of extended writing on the topic they have just learnt. Students will also have an end of year assessment, covering content from all the topics studied throughout the year. Students receive regular pieces of homework, building upon content and skills covered in lessons.
In Year 9, students have the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom by attending the Imperial War Museum trip.
Years 10 & 11
At GCSE, students must choose to study History or Geography, with many opting to study both. GCSE History covers a broad range of topics and time periods. Students study four key topics; Crime and Punishment in Britain, The Cold War and Superpower Relations, Elizabeth I and the USA (Civil Rights movement and the war in Vietnam). Students develop historical skills such as analysing sources, forming an argument, interrogating evidence and understanding interpretations. Lessons in Year 10 and 11 are structured carefully to fully prepare students on the vast content, skills and revision techniques needed for success at this level. Revision sessions and intervention sessions are run in the build up to exams.
Students will be examined by end of topic tests and mock exams throughout the two years of GCSE study. Students will receive regular homework tasks building upon content and skills covered in lessons, many of which will be exam questions.
Careers & Future Study
GCSE History prepares students for future careers or further study in a number of ways. It develops skills such as organisation, research, analysis, evaluation and communication. These skills are vital in many areas, such as law, policing, social work, teaching, business, to name just a few.
History at A Level is a popular choice with many students choosing to study this further at university. Students study four units; Communist China, Communist Russia, The Changing nature of British Warfare and conduct a coursework investigation on the Holocaust. Students broaden their historical skills; learn to debate, reach a sustained argument and question interpretations. A Level History can prepare students for work in many fields including media, journalism, law and civil service.
Subject Leader: Mrs E Seymour
Miss L English
Miss M Flynn
Mr M Jordan
Mr M Pembroke
Mr K Price