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History

Overview  

In History, our curriculum is challenging and engaging, and it is a popular option for our students at both GCSE and A-Level.

We ensure that, whilst learning about events in History, our students are developing and improving their historical and critical thinking skills. As such, they become proficient at evaluating the causes and consequences of these events. We also teach our students to analyse sources and the interpretations of historians effectively.

Year 7

At the beginning of the year, students are introduced to sources and interpretations by studying the Vikings and Alfred the Great. They are encouraged to use sources to develop their own interpretations of the past.

We spend the rest of terms one and two learning about the events of 1066 and the Norman Conquest. Students are assessed by testing their knowledge, and by writing extended answers to GCSE-style questions – the first of which is, ‘Why did William of Normandy win the Battle of Hastings?’

By the end of term two, students will have decided how far England had changed under the Normans. One popular lesson involves the detailed study of the Bourne and local villages' entry in the Domesday Book.

The remainder of Year 7 is dedicated to the study of Medieval England and the Tudors. Students are encouraged to think and work independently, and to make informed judgements about the social and political impact of the middle ages and early modern period. Students are also encouraged to think about how kingship changed during the medieval period by comparing the monarchs they study.

Year 8

Students begin Year 8 with a study of the English Civil War and consider the impact of Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate on English politics and society. This topic is explored with a focus on primary sources and students continue to develop their ability to analyse them.

Next, we find students engage particularly strongly with our series of lessons on the British Empire, with case studies that analyse and evaluate the impact the Empire had on its colonies. This is followed by related units on slavery and the Industrial Revolution. As always, we develop historical skills within the context of these events and assess progress using knowledge tests and GCSE-style questions.

The final third of Year 8 is dedicated to World War One, specifically the causes of the War, trench warfare, and conscientious objectors. In addition, students explore various revolutions which caused radical changes to societies across the world, including France, Russia, and China.

Year 9

Year 9 starts with a depth study of Nazi Germany, exploring how Hitler rose to power and how the Nazis controlled German society. As part of this study, we explore the causes of the Second World War and the reasons for the Nazi’s defeat.

We also spend a series of lessons understanding the reasons for the Holocaust. Students find their studies on the Holocaust incredibly thought-provoking and are left with a lasting impression on their thinking about stereotyping, prejudice and the need to never be indifferent to the persecution of others.

In the second half of Year 9, we bring our studies up to date by studying modern America - from the 1920s to the 1970s. At this point, we start on the GCSE syllabus to give students a comprehensive understanding of the topic and the rigours of History at GCSE - an interesting, stand-alone topic that our Year 9s enjoy studying, including those who go on to choose other subjects at GCSE.

Years 10 and 11

We study AQA GCSE History, code 8145QF. The four topics are:

  • USA, 1920 - 1973
  • The First World War
  • Edward I and Medieval England
  • Power and the People, 800 years of the changing relationship between the State and the people of Britain.

Students are fully supported with challenging, varied lessons, regular assessments with feedback that maximises progress, and a wealth of bespoke revision resources.

Years 12 and 13

At A-Level, our students take the OCR specification. We study: 

  • Medieval England, 1066 - 1216, from William of Normandy’s conquest of Anglo-Saxon England to the downfall of King John and the signing of Magna Carta.
  • Britain, 1930 - 1997, including an in-depth study of Winston Churchill.
  • Russia, 1894 – 1941, from the end of Tsarism to Stalinism.
  • Students also complete coursework, a 4,000-word essay, worth 20 per cent of the course.

Lessons are interactive, full of lively debate and discussion, and we regularly set essays that develop the skills needed to excel in the A-Level examinations. Students continue to enjoy the same level of support provided at GCSE and have access to excellent bespoke revision resources.

 

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