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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 want our students to become 'the historian'.

We ensure that, whilst learning about significant people and events from the past, 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 to evaluate interpretations effectively. We believe these skills are essential in navigating the modern world and tackling the changes and challenges created by the development of social media and AI.

Year 7

At the beginning of the year, students study migration to the British Isles between 800 BCE and 1066 CE. Students consider the impact different groups made to England during this period and the ways that these ideas arrived.

Students explore the impact of Norman rule in England. This is done through the study of local history, considering the experience of Lincolnshire during the 11th and 12th centuries.

Students also consider the way that the way the Christian and Muslim worlds interacted during the medieval period through study of the Crusades and the transmission of ideas to Western Europe.

The remainder of Year 7 is dedicated to the study of kingship, during the medieval period and under the Tudors. Students are encouraged to make informed judgements about the political and religious changes which occurred as monarchs faced resistance from their nobles and from the Church.

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 historical 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. Students are encouraged to form substantiated judgements on these topics, which inspire a diverse range of views in both historical debate and public discourse.

The final third of Year 8 is dedicated to the First World War, 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 and Russia.

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 regarding the significance of 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 1920 to 1940. The topic explores contrasting periods of American history, with the 1920s providing an example of economic prosperity, whereas the Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered a period of deep economic depression and hardship.

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. (Y303)
  • Britain, 1930 - 1997, including an in-depth study of Winston Churchill’s leadership of Britain throughout the Second World War. (Y113)
  • Russia, 1894 – 1941, from the fall of Tsarism to the rise of Stalinism. (Y219)
  • Students also complete coursework, a 4,000-word essay, worth 20 per cent of the course. (Y100)

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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