HISTORY

The study of History prepares students with the academic and social skills to enable them to succeed in a competitive and complex world. Students embark upon further education courses and careers in management, administration, law and journalism. Students are well prepared for their role as citizens within a modern society. The collective rationale behind these courses lies in the vital importance of equipping students with knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. The courses provide students with highly relevant skills that contribute significantly to preparing them for effective participation in society as responsible citizens.

In History, students will analyse the past experiences of people. This is achieved through the interpretation of source material and texts enabling students to acquire analytical skills and develop their historical knowledge. Studies will include fieldwork and classroom studies using a variety of teaching styles.

AIMS

• To stimulate interest in and enthusiasm about the past.
• To promote the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of human activity in the past.
• To ensure that students' knowledge is rooted in an understanding of the nature and use of historical evidence.
• To promote an understanding of the nature of cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference.
• To provide a sound basis for further study and the pursuit of personal interest.
• To encourage international understanding.
• To encourage the development of linguistic and communication skills.

TIMING

Students are taught one lesson (a double period of 65 minutes) per week in Years 6-8, approximately one and a half lessons (three single periods) per week in Year 9, two lessons per week in Years 10-11 and five lessons per week in the Sixth Form Department.

Course Overviews

YEAR 6

The Greeks: This module is a study of an ancient civilisation. Students learn about everyday life of the Ancient Greeks and continue to develop a wider chronological understanding of the past. Schemes of work include lessons based on ICT on the school network during which students use their laptops. Students are encouraged to research their work on the internet and produce word-processed essay work.

YEAR 7

The Making of the UK: Students are introduced to the everyday life of people in England in the 1500s, the English Reformation and the English Revolution. Students are encouraged to word-process essay work and research on their laptops. The students use the website ActiveHistory.co.uk to research topics and to participate in interactive learning.

YEAR 8

The French Revolution: Students will learn about the causes of the French Revolution, how the revolution changed France and how Napoleon changed France and Europe. Students are expected to use laptops for both class and homework and produce word-processed essays. ActiveHistory.co.uk is again used to enable students to conduct historical research.

YEAR 9

Twentieth Century World History: Students are introduced to the history of the World during the 20th Century, with a focus on the First World War, its aftermath, the rise of the dictators and international relations.

YEAR 10: IGCSE

Term 1: Peacemaking after the First World War, the League of Nations
Term 2: The collapse of international peace in the 1930s, Appeasement
Term 3: The Cold War and the USSR's expansion into Eastern Europe
Term 4: The USA and Containment - case studies on Cuba and Vietnam
Term 5: In-depth study - USA 1919-41

YEAR 11: IGCSE

Terms 1 and 2: Topic taken from core topic (20th Century), chosen by the exam board to be set for source analysis (Paper 2)
Terms 3 and 4: Alternative to coursework - in-depth study (20th Century)
Term 5: Past paper revision

YEAR 12: AS LEVEL

The AS Level in History comprises two Units, where Unit 1 is split into two subsections:
Term 1: Unit 1 - D3 Russia in Revolution 1881-1924
Term 2: Unit 1 - D4 Stalin’s Russia 1924-1953
Term 3-4: Unit 2 - E1 British Political History 1945-1990
Term 5: Revision and examination

Unit 1 assesses candidates' ability to present historical explanations and assess their significance in the historical context of events, individuals' ideas, attitudes and/or beliefs, and the ways in which they influenced behaviours and action.

Unit 2 assesses the candidates' ability to analyse, cross-reference and evaluate sources in conjunction with their own knowledge to address an historical view or claim.

YEAR 13: A2 LEVEL

Term 1-5 - Unit 3 - E2 A world divided: superpower relations 1944-1990
In Unit 3 students cover an area of study in more depth. They gain a firm understanding of chronology and of key issues. Students will explore the nature of challenges and conflict within the period.

Term 1-5 - Unit 4 - Individual assignment
In Unit 4 students address aspects of their chosen theme for a period not less than 100 years. Students are asked to focus on the process of change over time. They investigate causes, consequences and the pace of that change.