History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time

The History department strives to build on prior learning and skills, allowing students to develop ‘the big picture’ concepts of the subject. Pupils will extend and deepen their chronology, knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, so that it provides a well-informed context for wider learning. Pupils should identify significant events, make connections, evaluate key events, and analyse trends within periods and over long arcs of time. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Our teaching will equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift
arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.

Year 7 students begin by studying a KS2 to KS3 transition unit exploring why we study History, key terminology, and the first British peoples. Students will then will study the Medieval and Tudor world; 1066-1603. This will include The Norman conquest, The Medieval Church, Challenges to royal authority,1215-1381, The Black Death, a study of civilisations outside Europe, The Age of Discovery, Tudor England1485-1603

Year 8 students explore the period 1603 to 1918. This was a period of great social, political and economic  change in the UK and witnessed Britain’s increasing impact on world history. This will include the birth of the United Kingdom and English Civil war, the development of industry, cities and new technology. Students will also critically evaluate the impact of the British Empire and Britain’s role in the Atlantic slave trade. Finally, students will study the First World War from its origins to the horrors on the battlefield.

Year 9 students will study key global events in the 20 th century up to 1991. This will include understanding political and economic systems of government such as Democracy, Dictatorship, Communism and Capitalism. This will link to the Russian revolution of 1917 and the rise of the Nazi state in post-war Germany. Students will then study the Second World War from its causes to key events. This unit will include the Holocaust, the war against Japan and the dropping of the atom bombs. Finally, students will study the Post-war world including the Cold War and the development of the USA as a global superpower.

GCSE history should support students in learning more about the history of Britain and that of the wider world. The study of history at GCSE should inspire students to deepen their understanding of the people, periods and events studied and enable them to think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, make informed decisions and develop perspective and judgement. This, in turn, will prepare them for a role as informed, thoughtful and active citizens. The discipline of history and a knowledge and understanding of the past will also help them to understand their own identity and significant aspects of the world in which
they live, and provide them with the basis for further wider learning and study.

The History curriculum plan at KS4 enables students to study different aspects of the past, so they can engage with key issues such as conflict, understand what drives change and how the past influences the present. Building on the skills and topics at Key Stage 3, our GCSE will equip your students with essential skills and prepare them for further study at A level and beyond.

Paper 1: Y10
Section A: (Period study) America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality This period study focuses on the development of the USA during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of opportunity and inequality – when some Americans lived the 'American Dream' whilst others grappled with the nightmare of poverty, discrimination and prejudice. Students will study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of these two developments and the role ideas played in bringing about change. They will also look at the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change and the impact the developments had on them.

Section B: (Wider world depth study) Conflict and tension in Asia, 1950–1975 This depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of different states and individuals and the ideologies they represented. It considers the role of nationalist movements in causing and sustaining conflict. It focuses on the causes and events of the Cold War in Asia, such as the Korean war and Vietnam war. It seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the tensions which arose. This study also considers the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change, as well as how they were affected by and influenced international relations.
 

Paper 2: Y11
Section A: (Thematic study) Britain: Power and the people: c1170 to the present day This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of the development of the relationship between the citizen  and the state in Britain over a long period of time. It considers the causes, scale, nature and consequences of protest to that relationship. By charting the journey from feudalism and serfdom to democracy and equality, it reveals how, in different periods, the state responds to challenges to its authority and their impact. It allows students to construct an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the citizen. Students will have the opportunity to see how ideas, events or developments in the wider world affected the course of Britain's political development and will promote the idea that ideas of authority, challenge and rights did not develop in isolation, but these developments should be seen in terms of how they affected Britain and British people.

Section B: (British depth study) Medieval England - the reign of Edward I, 1272–1307 This option allows  students to study in depth Medieval England and the reign of Edward I. The depth study will focus on the major events of the reign of Edward considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoint, and arising contemporary and historical controversies.