History
‘Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it’
Georges Santayana
The Aims Of The History Department
- To nurture an interest in the past
- To enable students to think imaginatively about the past and reach substantiated conclusions about a number of issues
- To enable pupils to understand the present through an exploration of the past
- To develop critical thinking skills
- To encourage students to explore a range of different viewpoints on key issues
- To transform students into independent learners who will be able to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world
- To enable pupils to explore History beyond the classroom
- To foster links between History and other disciplines where appropriate
- To encourage students to become confident reflective thinkers
- To inspire students to want to do History at university
Why Study History?
Perhaps the most important reason for studying History is because you find it to be an interesting and enjoyable subject. Investigating the past will provide you with an opportunity to explore exciting and dramatic events. It will introduce you to lively and controversial characters, and you will get a chance to see how people have reacted in difficult and extreme circumstances. In short, it will entertain and engage you because you will be involved in uncovering dramatic stories about the human experience across different historical periods and countries.
The History department believes that the study of History equips students with the skills and conceptual understanding to meet the challenges of the modern world. They will be critical thinkers who can comprehend, synthesise, and make judgements on a range of historical, yet relevant issues. History is so much more than recalling facts about the past, it encourages pupils to question the world around them, take part in debates about the past and reflect on potential mistakes of the present and future.
It is these skills that make History a subject that many colleges, universities and employers value. Studying History opens up many opportunities and a wide range of careers in law, government, politics, journalism and education.
KS3-Years 7-9
At Key Stage 3 all pupils cover a broad, diverse, and exciting curriculum. Students develop an in-depth understanding of the key events, changes and people that have made Britain what it is today. However, students’ understanding of history is not limited to that of Britain alone but also considers the wider world. Students carry out question based historical enquiries focusing on a skill and an event or time period. Students are regularly assessed on their knowledge and conceptual understanding through a range of extended writing.
In Year 7, students will study:
- How has Cat Jarman used sources to find out about the Vikings?
- Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?
- Did William keep the same England?
- What was the most significant challenge to medieval monarchs?
- How unique was conquest and control under the Mongols?
- How have historians found out about the Mali Empire?
- How did the Reformation impact ordinary people?
- Why did England’s first colony fail?
In Year 8, students will study:
- Why did England go to war with itself?
- White men started the slave trade. Did they end it?
- How did Britain change 1700-1900?
- What does Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee reveal about the British Empire?
- What were the causes of WW1?
- Was WW1 a white man’s war?
- How did Ireland become independent?
- How was Sylvia Pankhurst significant?
In Year 9, students will study:
- Why did democracy not grow in every garden?
- Was it selfishness or something else that started WW2?
- What was the most significant event of WW2?
- How typical was Freddie Knoller’s experience as a Holocaust survivor?
- Why is there conflict in the Middle East?
- How far have race relations improved since 1945?
KS4 – GCSE (Edexcel History)
The GCSE course will have a focus on both the twentieth century world and British Medieval history. We begin in Year 10 exploring the origins of the Cold War- including flashpoints such as the building of the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Our students then travel further back in time to Tudor England to assess the early reign of Elizabeth I, from 1558-1588. Students will look at Elizabeth’s problems that she encounters as she begins her reign, including her complicated relationship with Spain and her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots. Our next unit is a breath study of Crime and Punishment in the UK between 1000-present day. This study truly allows our students to assess change over time; looking at how the nature of crimes, law enforcement and punishment transformed over a thousand-year period. The final unit of our GCSE course is Nazi Germany 1919-1945. Students will explore the downfall of the first democracy in Germany; the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Republic and, of course, Hitler’s rise to power in 1933.
The GCSE course includes NO coursework and all units are assessed via examination.
KS5 – A-Level (AQA History paper 1J and 2G)
Our History A level offers an exciting range of material that allows students to reflect upon modern day and current developments and movements. Our A Level is comprised of three modules: The British Empire, Birth of the USA and Civil Rights in America. The ‘British Empire’ module is based around the growth and development of imperialism with a heavy focus on Africa and India and serves as our ‘breadth’ study. The module is assessed through the use and understanding of historical interpretations based upon this controversial and much debated piece of history, and through students’ analysis and evaluation of events.
The Birth of the USA is our ‘depth’ study, a more concentrated look at the 41 years it took for the original 13 colonies to sever their links with Great Britain and establish their new nation. This study explores the concepts of imperialism, mercantilism and legitimate government, alongside the exciting events that surrounded the creation of the USA we know today. This module is assessed through the use and understanding of primary sources, and through students’ analysis and evaluation of events.
Our final module is our non-exam assessment (NEA). This is an independent historical investigation that students undertake which will be based on Civil Rights in America 1917-present day.
Future Pathways
Students who have studied History are ideally suited to pursue careers in a wide range of areas, including, law, journalism, government, finance and education.