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History

Curriculum Overview

Vision

To promote the discovery of the global interconnection and parallel nature of history to develop an understanding of the narrative of human history and how this is reflected in the world today. We aim to ignite a lifelong passion for the study of history through challenging and diverse histories spanning from the history of the British Isles and across the world. We want students to acquire an understanding of the events which have shaped the world in which they will inherit in order to flourish in an ever-changing world. 

Disciplinary Concepts

  • Cause and consequence

  • Change and continuity

  • Similarity and difference

  • Significance

  • Evidence

  • Interpretations

 

Curriculum Map

KS3

In Key Stage 3 we follow a mainly chronological approach to studying History starting with 1066 and the Medieval period and ending in Year 9 with 20th century dictators. Throughout the three years we revisit common themes which run through the history of: power and control, relationships between rulers and people, people adapting to change, the role of religion and empire and expansion. While much of our studies are focussed on British History we also study key events in world history such as slavery and Civil Rights in America. Throughout the units we build in class work and assessed work which familiarises you with different types of sources and different historical interpretations. 

 

KS4 (GCSE)

If you take History at GCSE you will be studying AQA. Topics will include:

Conflict and Tension in Asia 1950-1975

This wider world 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 and 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.

Elizabethan England, c1568-1603

This depth study allows students to study in depth a specified period, the last 35 years of Elizabeth I's reign. The study will focus on major events of Elizabeth I’s reign considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoints, and arising contemporary and historical controversies.

Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day

This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how the identity of the people of Britain has been shaped by their interaction with the wider world. It will consider invasions and conquests. It will also study the country's relationship with Europe and the wider world. It will consider the ebb and flow of peoples into and out of Britain and evaluate their motives and achievements.

Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship

This period study focuses on the development of Germany during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of democracy and dictatorship – the development and collapse of democracy and the rise and fall of Nazism. Students will study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of these two developments and the role ideas played in influencing change. They will also look at the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change and the impact the developments had on them.

Assessments

YEAR 7

Historical Skills – this topic focuses on developing your historical skills particularly relating to measuring time, chronology and use of sources. (This is assessed in Assessment Point 1)

Medieval Monarchs – this topic is all about how rulers exercised power and control during the Medieval period. We will look at how different rulers used both conflict and cooperation to maintain their power and explore the relationships between rulers and people.

Castles – we will explore how rulers used castles to exercise power and control. A highlight of this topic is our annual castle building competition!

Wars of the Roses – In this topic you will be undertaking an individual project on the Wars of the Roses in which you will be learning what happened and when, who was involved and what the outcomes were. 

Change in Tudor times – During this topic we will explore the Tudor rulers and some of the key events that took place during this time period. A key focus will be the role of religion during this period of history. (This is assessed in Assessment Point 2)

 

YEAR 8

The Gunpowder Plot – we start Year 8 looking at the Gunpowder plot. We will explore different sources to find out what happened as well as different interpretations of the event. (assessed in Assessment Point 1)

Stuart Rulers and Power – this unit builds on our learning relation from Year 7 on  monarchs during the Medieval and Tudor periods and explores some of the key events taking place during the Stuart period including the English Civil War. We will explore the different problems facing rulers during this period of history including issues to do with money, religion and war. (assessed in Assessment Point 1)

Industrial Revolution – in this unit we learn about the changes that took place in the UK during the Industrial Revolution including what was happening in our local area relating to transport and industry. In your assessed piece of work you will be choosing an individual who played a prominent role in the Industrial Revolution to research and will be responsible for selecting appropriate sources to use as evidence. (assessed in Assessment Point 2)

Britain and the Slave Trade – During this unit we will develop our understanding of what happened during the time of the Slave Trade before focussing on the abolition of slavery in Britain. (assessed in Assessment Point 2)

 

YEAR 9

The  First World War – During this unit we will develop our understanding of the causes and consequences of the First World War, this will include the Arms Race and the events at Sarajevo. We will be looking at the conditions in the Trenches and on the Home Front

The Suffragette Movement – This topic leads on from the First World War and shows the changes in the position of Women during this period. It includes the campaign of votes for women and the roles of the Pankhursts and Emily Davison.

Democracy and Dictatorship – This topic of Year 9 explores some of the well known dictators of the 20th century – notably Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini. We will explore their actions in relation to different historical themes such as power and control. 

The Second World War – This topic leads on from the previous one, focusing on the causes and consequences of the Second World War. In particular will study events such as the Dunkirk Evacuations, the Battle of Britain and the D Day landings. We will also study the Home Front and the effects of War on civilians. A particular focus will be the Holocaust.

 

KS4 (GCSE)

Conflict and Tension in Asia, 1950-1975

Assessment objective for this depth study: 

A01 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied. 

A02 - Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

A03 - Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.

 

Part one: Conflict in Korea

  • The causes of the Korean War

  • The development of the Korean War

  • The end of the Korean War

Part two: Escalation of conflict in Vietnam

  • The end of French colonial rule

  • The US involvement 

  • Johnson’s War

Part three: The ending of conflict in Vietnam

  • Nixon’s War

  • Opposition to war

  • The end of the war

 

Elizabethan England, c1568-1603

Assessment objective for this depth study: 

A01 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied. 

A02 - Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

A03 - Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.

 

Part one: Elizabeth’s court and Parliament

  • Elizabeth I and her court

  • The difficulties of a female ruler

 

Part two: Life in Elizabethan times

  • A ‘Golden Age’

  • The poor

  • English sailors

 

Part three: Troubles at home and abroad

  • Religious matters

  • Mary Queen of Scots

  • Conflict with Spain

 

Part four: The historic environment

  • The Americas and Drake’s circumnavigation, 1577-1580

 

Migration, empires and the people

Assessment objective for this depth study: 

A01 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied. 

A02 - Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

A03 - Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.

 

Part one: Conquered and conquerors

  • Invasion

  • A Norman Kingdom and ‘Angevin’ Empire

  • The birth of English identity

 

Part two: Looking west

  • Sugar and the Caribbean 

  • Colonisation in North America

  • Migrants to and from Britain

 

Part three: Expansion and empire

  • Expansion in India

  • Expansion in Africa

  • Migrants to, from and within Britain

 

Part four: Britain in the 20th century

  • The end of Empire

  • The legacy of Empire

  • Britain’s relationship with Europe and its impact

 

Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship

Assessment objective for this depth study: 

A01 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied. 

A02 - Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.

A03 - Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.

 

Part one: Germany and the growth of democracy

  • Kaiser Wilhelm and the difficulties of ruling Germany

  • Impact of the First World War

  • Weimar democracy

 

Part two: Germany and the Depression

  • The impact of the Depression

  • The failure of Weimar democracy

  • The establishment of Hitler’s dictatorship

 

Part three: The experiences of Germans under the Nazis

  • Economic changes

  • Social policy and practise

  • Control