History

At Key Stage 3 we introduce the key skills needed to become a successful historian. In accordance with the National Curriculum, students will be taught the development of Church, state and society in Britain from 1066 to the present day, ideas, political power, industry and empire in Britain, 1745-1901 and challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day. Our aim is to provide a balanced and diverse curriculum for the students which they can develop in Key Stage 4 and 5. 

Autumn Term:

We start off the autumn learning about key historical skills and key words that pave the way for their History education.

Historical Skills

Migration to England pre-1066 (including the Celts, Romans, Vikings)

Anglo-Saxon England by 1066

The Norman Conquest and Norman rule under William the Conqueror

Spring Term

The spring term studies Medieval England through key topics such as:

Medieval Life in both the Western and Islamic world

Medieval religion and the Crusades

Medieval Law and Order including the Magna Carta

The Black Death

Peasants revolt

The Renaissance

Summer Term

The final term we study the impact of the Tudor monarchy through the:

Wars of the Roses

Henry VII

Henry VIII and the Reformation

Religion under Edward VI and Mary I

Elizabeth I

 

Autumn Term

We kick start the autumn following the chronology from Year 7. Starting from the end of the Tudor dynasty, we study England’s one and only king to be executed by his own parliament and then the period where Britain is known as a republic.

Interpretations of Elizabeth I

James I and the Gunpowder plot

Charles I and the English Civil War

Cromwell and the Restoration

Spring Term

This term explores Britain’s controversial role in the Triangular Slave Trade and the impact this had on black peoples of America after the abolition of slavery. We explore the civil rights journey in America throughout the 20^th century.

African Kingdoms before 1400

The Transatlantic slave trade and the abolition of slavery

American Civil War and Reconstruction period

Civil Rights in America 1900-1975

Summer Term

The year ends by exploring the British Empire and the impact on British colonies such as India and West Africa. We also study the modernising industrial period throughout the 19^th century and the changes this meant socially, economically and politically for Britain.  

British Empire including India and West Africa

Industrial Revolution in Britain 1750 – 1900

Women’s suffrage movement

 

Autumn Term

The final year of Key Stage 3 is sparked off discovering Britain in the 20th Century. Year 9 focused on the social and political issues that both affect Britain and Europe during one of the most turbulent centuries:

World War One: – causes and consequences

Life on the Western front

Life on the Home front

End of WW1 and the Treaty of Versailles

Spring Term:

We continue into the mid-20th Century and investigate the rise of Hitler and horrors of the Holocaust. Key topics are covered which most students will have heard of and are eager to explore in greater depth.

The interwar years and rise of dictatorships.

The rise of Hitler and life in Nazi Germany.

The Holocaust

Summer Term:

The final term completes the KS3 syllabus by assessing the causes and key events of World War Two. In the final half term, we introduce year 9 to the History GCSE modules.

World War Two – causes and consequences and key events

Introduction into History GCSE of Crime and Punishment from 1000 – to Present Day

Students follow the Edexcel GCSE Course: History (9-1)

If you have a great interest of current affairs and interested in WHY we certain laws today, then History is for you. If you like to debate, prove your point and love learning about the cause and consequences of some interesting people then History is for you.

Units Studied:

Paper 1: Introduction and overview to Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present.

Paper 2 A: Period Study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91.

Paper 2 B: Depth Study Anglo Saxon and Norman England 1060-1088.

Paper 3:  The USA, 1954–75: conflict at home and abroad.

In year 10 we continue to look at the Crime and Punishment module and Anglo Saxons.

 

Paper 1: Introduction and overview to Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present.

How and why have the nature and definitions of criminal activity and the nature of law enforcement and punishment changed over time?

This paper is an overview of key features in the development of crime and punishment and how these were linked with the key features of society in Britain in the periods studied. From Medieval England to Jack the Ripper to the abolishment of capital punishment in Britain in the 1960s!

 

Paper 2: Depth Study Anglo Saxon and Norman England 1060-1088.

This Depth study looks at how England was changed and adapted to fit the rule of foreign king, William the conqueror. Students will study the very foundations of Anglo Saxon England and the changes that took place during the last ever successful invasion of England.

 

Paper 2: Period Study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91.

This Period Study looks at one of the biggest ideological warfare of the 20th Century, the Cold War, and beginning from early years of World War Two into the early 1990s.

 

Paper 3:  The USA, 1954–75: conflict at home and abroad.

This paper studies America during one of its most turbulent times in their History. Discovering the roles of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and the studying the roles of their beloved presidents.

 

How are the GCSE units assessed?

There are three separate papers, which will be assessed in exam format.

Paper 1 British Study 30%: 1hr 15 minutes

Paper 2 Depth Study & Paper 2 Period Study 40%: 1hr 45 minutes

Paper 3 Modern Depth Study 30% 1hr 20 Minutes.

A level History is now a two year course with one grade given at the end of year 13. What is important is that students have a desire to learn inside and outside the classroom. Students that are willing to develop their own personal learning and communicate that effectively within the classroom.

Course Aims:

The course has been formed to develop students’ critical thinking skills and encourage evaluation of historical events, sources and people.

The structure of this course enables students to make and understand links between: social, cultural and political change through evaluation of events, theories and individuals.

This course challenges students to be able to understand the nature of historical evidence and the methods used in analysing, evaluating sources and making judgements.

Why study History at A-Level?

History is a subject that has a mass of transferrable skills which are valued in many careers such as: banking, accountancy, law, journalism, government and politics, teaching, social services and many more.

Students follow the Edexcel A-Level History course.

 

Paper 1: Breadth Study with Interpretations (1F) In search of the American Dream, 1917-1996.

This unit comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the dramatic political, economic and social transformation of the USA in the 20th century, an era that saw the USA challenged by the consequences of political, economic and social inequalities at home and of its involvement in international conflict.

 

Paper 2:  Depth Study (2F.1) India, c1914–48: the road to independence

This option comprises a study in depth of the transition of the Indian sub-continent from a colony to independence. The gaining of Indian independence influenced both the nature of civil rights campaigning and the search for national self-determination throughout the world.

 

Paper 3, Option 35.1: Britain: Losing and gaining an empire 1716-1914

This option comprises two parts: The aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore the development of the British Empire and the part played in this by the Royal Navy and merchant marine. Looking at social, economic and political issues, students will study a series of developments that started with an imperial catastrophe which threatened to reduce Britain once more to a European offshore island, but would then transform Britain's standing in the world so that by the end of the period it had the largest empire the world has known.

 

 Coursework Unit 4: Nazi Germany

The purpose of this coursework is to enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of one the most controversial dictatorships, Nazi Germany, in an independently researched assignment. Students are assessed on their analysis and evaluation of the interpretations by Historians surrounding this topic.

 

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1 exam 30%: 2hr 15 minutes

Paper 2 20%: 1hr30 minutes

Paper 3 30%: 2hr15 minutes

Coursework (Unit 4): written assessment - 20%