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History
Department Aims:
-To encourage in students a sense of worth through achieving challenging goals.
-To engender an excitement for learning through the study of important issues.
-To develop skills of analysis and judgement through investigation.
-To grow as independent thinkers through questioning and debate.
-To foster a love of History through an appreciation of its relevance in everyone’s life.
-To understand what is History, why History is important and the importance of Historians
-To be better – as Historians, citizens and colleagues working together or individually towards the common goal of understanding our world and heritage.
K S 3
Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups. We begin with an introduction to the skills of an Historian then take a chronological or thematic approach.
Year 7 pupils study the Medieval and Tudor periods. Key enquiries include:
Was it “One in the Eye for Harold?” |
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Year 8 pupils study the Stuart and Victorian periods. Key enquiries include:
Who will win, King or Parliament?
Who were the winners and losers in the Industrial Revolution?
How well did Britannia Rule the Waves?
Year 9 pupils study the Modern World from 1900. Key enquiries include:
What was World War I like on the Western Front?
Did the Suffragettes do more harm than good?
What was war like for Civilians in World War II?
Was the Cold War as dangerous as a hot one?
What’s the big deal about a Black president of the USA?
They develop their interest and skills through depth studies e.g. how reliable are sources on Trench Warfare? and personal research e.g. explain the significance of an individual.
K S 4
Those who opt for G.C.S.E. History continue to develop their powers of analysis in a variety of ways over 4 Units.
In Year 10 students take the Development Study : Medicine and Treatment from 1350.
It is taught both chronologically and thematically in order that students understand how and why change does or does not happen. They are expected to be able to explain major factors that promote or inhibit development e.g. the role of individuals, government, war. This is examined in the Summer of Year 10 and is worth 25% of their grade.
Their next Unit is Representations of History : Government and Protest in the USA c.1945 – 1970. The focus of this changes yearly but may include the Civil Rights Movement. Pupils study the background of an issue, carry out a guided investigation then undertake a Controlled Assessment where they write up the conclusions to their research and assess the Representations Historians have of that issue. This is written in the Spring Term and is worth 25 % of their grade.
In Year 11 students begin with the Depth Study of Life in Germany. This includes the social, economic and political reasons for the rise of Hitler and the impact of Nazism.
This is examined in June and is worth 25% of their grade.
Finally they hone their skills with a Source Enquiry unit. Students practise judging reliability and usefulness over a variety of types of evidence. This is then examined in June and is worth 25% of their grade.
The whole course gives pupils the chance to really think about important issues and gives them a great opportunity to develop their thinking skills.
KS5
The course that we have chosen to offer at A Level and the AS Level has been designed to build on the skills and concepts covered in our GCSE. It presents an opportunity for students to study topics and themes in greater depth, and to research for themselves an area of history of their choice.
We will be following the OCR exam board History B syllabus comprised of four units which enable us to choose a variety of topics and types of assessment.
1. Lancastrians and Yorkists 1437-85
Pupils will explore the ideas, actions and events that contributed to the period known as the Wars of the Roses, including:
The rule of Henry VI, the lead up to the Civil War, what grievances led to Cade’s Rebellion, the Wars of the Roses, dynastic rivalries, the role of individuals such as Richard of York and Warwick, the effect of strife on the English economy, society and culture.
2. The Vikings in Europe 790’s-1066
Pupils will explore patterns of change and continuity in the Viking civilisation and their impact on Europe. Content will include:
Viking Scandinavia, land, climate, social structure, culture and religion.
The Viking raids, why did they conquer and settle in Europe? The warriors, their ships and weapons. The impact of Viking raiders, conquest of English Kingdoms, the establishment of Danelaw, impact on Normandy and Ireland.
3.The debate over Britain’s 17th Century crises, 1629-89
Pupils will explore issues of interpretations of the events during the time period, including:
The Whig view, a struggle for political and religious liberty. Charles and the personal rule: tyranny or effective government?
Was the outbreak of civil war accidental? The impact of the civil wars and the Interregnum. The years 1688-89: invasion, revolution or aristocratic coup?
What you can expect from us · We will set high standards to help you achieve the highest grades you can reach · We will try to make lessons as varied and interesting as possible · Essays will be set regularly and marked as quickly and as thoroughly as possible · When work is returned to you, the marking will be explained to you, strong/weak points will be highlighted and suggestions made for improvement. · If you need further advice, you will be able to make an appointment to talk to your History Teacher. · We will organise visits to help you to extend your historical knowledge. · You will be provided with a range of appropriate text books for you to use at home and in class. |
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