History
BackAt Key Stage 3, History is taught in mixed ability groups with three lessons a fortnight. We follow a chronological approach from 1066 to post-1945 with a focus on one or two key enquiry questions each term. There are opportunities for special projects in each year with the Castle Challenge in Year 7, the Great Exhibition in Year 8 and a research task on local history and the First World War in Year 9.
History is a popular option at Key Stage 4 where it is also taught in mixed ability groups. We have five lessons a fortnight and study the Edexcel History (9-1) course. We have chosen units on Elizabethan England, the History of Medicine (with a focus on medicine in the First World War trenches), Cold War Superpowers 1941-1991 and Weimar and Nazi Germany. We often run a residential trip abroad but this will be confirmed in 2021-2022.
History is also popular at A level where students have nine lessons a fortnight. All groups have two teachers. We have chosen to study modern American History, 1865-1975 and the Stuarts 1625-1660. A Level students also complete a piece of coursework based on Russian History 1855-1956.
Members of the department are also involved with teaching Politics A level and Sociology A level.
For more information about each key stage, please click on each of the sections below.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, 9)
History is taught in mixed ability classes at Key Stage 3. Pupils study the period 1066 to the present day. In Years 7 and 8 the emphasis is on British History and topics include the Middle Ages, the Tudors and Stuarts, slavery in the British Empire and the Industrial Revolution. In Year 9 the pupils study the Modern World since 1914 including the First and Second World Wars, the Cold War, American Civil Rights and Black History in Britain. As well as building up their factual knowledge, they learn how to explain causes and consequences in History and how to understand why there are different interpretations of the past. They develop skills in analysing historical sources and write their own descriptions and explanations. They are encouraged to plan their own historical investigations and further develop their presentational skills on paper, orally and using ICT. These skills all contribute to further study at GCSE level.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10, 11)
GCSE History
The history course has five components:
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A British depth study - Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588
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A thematic study - Medicine in Britain 1250-present
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Historical environment - Medicine in the trenches
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Period study - Cold War Superpowers 1941-1991
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Modern Depth study - Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939
In Year 10, students learn about Early Elizabethan England and Medicine Through Time. They also complete a study of medicine on the First World War battlefields.
In Year 11, students follow an in-depth study of a crucial period in the development of the USA, Cold War Superpowers 1941-1991. This is followed by a unit on Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939. The course develops important analytical skills. Students learn how to interpret a variety of sources and how to weigh up different factors when constructing an argument. Students will build on these skills when moving onto our A level course in Year 12, which includes America 1865-1975, the Stuarts and coursework on Modern Russian History
Sixth Form (Years 12, 13)
A level History
Our A level course builds on the knowledge students have already acquired and extends it. It is designed to provide the experience of studying two periods of history in depth, with a focus on British, American and Russian history. Students are well supported by a very well qualified and experienced department.
For more information about this subject at KS5, please click here and go to the relevant subject leaflet.