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History

Studying history is important because it allows us to understand our past, change over time and how the society we live in came to be, allowing us to understand our present. Studying history enables us to understand our own identity, people and societies as it can provide us with insight into our cultures of origin as well as cultures with which we might be less familiar, thereby increasing cross-cultural awareness and understanding.

The skills acquired from studying history make us well-informed citizens and these skills can be transferred to all areas of life. From studying history, we develop knowledge and understanding of chronology and key features of periods as well as the role of significant individuals, events, developments and issues. History develops our understanding of the historical concepts of continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and significance by making connections, drawing contrasts, analysing trends and investigating big historical questions.  We are able to make connections between different aspects of the periods and themes studied; between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, social, political, religious and military history; and between short and long term timescales.  History develops analytical skills by investigating how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims as well as how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed so learners develop the ability to create their own structured accounts of history. 

Curriculum information

YEAR 7

Learning outcomes
  • Understand the development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
  • Understand the development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745
  • Local study on castles

Topics taught
  • The Battle of Hastings
  • Norman Conquest
  • Consolidation of Norman power, the Feudal System and the Domesday Book with a local study of castles
  • The Tudors
  • Henry VIII and the English Reformation
  • Challenges to the Catholic Church and the role of Martin Luther
  • The impact of Mary I
  • The reign of Elizabeth I 
  • English Civil War
  • Interregnum
  • The Restoration
  • Industrial Revolution

YEAR 8

Learning outcomes
  • Understand the development of ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901
  • Explore the challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day
  • The Holocaust 
  • Impact of war with a local study on Emily Wilding Davison and the Suffragette movement

Topics taught
  • Slavery 
  • The causes of World War I
  • The nature of World War I
  • The Treaty of Versailles
  • The impact of World War I in Britain on the womens’ suffrage movement
  • Causes of World War II 
  • Holocaust
  • Impact of World War II on Britain
  • Impact of World War II on the US Civil Rights Movement

YEAR 9

Learning outcomes
  • Paper 2:Period study and British depth study 
  • Two depth studies covering a substantial and short time span: wider world depth study on the 

 

  • American West and a British depth study on Early Elizabethan England. 
  • To develop and extend knowledge and understanding of specified key events, periods and societies in British and wider world history; and of the wider diversity of human experience. 
  • Engage in historical enquiry to develop students as independent learners and as critical reflective thinkers. 
  • Develop the ability to ask relevant questions about the past, to investigate issues critically and to make valid historical claims by using a range of historical sources within their context.  
  • Develop an awareness of why people, events and developments have been accorded significance and why different interpretations have been constructed about them.
  • Organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways and reach substantiated conclusions. 

Topics taught
  • American West 
  • Early Elizabethan England
I chose to take History at GCSE because I enjoyed the topics and lessons in Year 7 and 8 and I have really enjoyed the topics in Year 10, so far. I have learnt a lot about British History as well as other places, like America and Germany. This has helped me understand why things are the way they are today. ...
Year 10 student
Studying history has really helped me to improve my analytical skills in all my lessons. It has become my favourite lesson as it is engaging and interesting. Studying history allows you to access and develop skills that will help you in all subjects.
Year 11 student
Studying history is a really interesting subject and has helped me develop my written and evaluation skills, which will help me in the future.
Year 11 student