History

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History

Departmental Aims

  • To inspire students to develop a love of history and value the study of the past, generating an interest that will remain with them for life
  • To transmit knowledge and understanding of the past, both within the United Kingdom and of the wider world. Students should have an understanding of how the world we live in has been shaped by the past
  • To equip students with life skills such as thinking, evaluating, analysing, empathising and communicating as there are very few jobs that do not require these skills.

Facilities

  • Teaching within the department is carried out by specialists in the subject. They bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom, including experience in public examining and academic writing and research
  • We have a wide range of resources to enable students to be able to access the full range of materials required to succeed in the subject at all levels
  • Four dedicated classrooms all with SMART technology.

Years 7-9 Curriculum

History is compulsory during the first three years of the Senior School and is taught as an autonomous subject within mixed ability groups. In Year 7, students will learn about Medieval Realms: Britain, 1066-1500 through the key themes of power, belief and society. In Year 8, students study Revolution and Restoration: Britain, 1603-1745, as well as completing project work on Britain’s involvement in the Slave Trade and its abolition.

In Year 9, a unit considering how far the First World War was a turning point in history is studied. In all courses students will develop key skills such as the ability to recall factual material, assess the concepts of cause and consequence and change and continuity, and evaluate source material.

This range of topics allows students to experience medieval, early modern and modern history, enabling them to make an informed choice for Years 10 and 11, and to have studied a wide range of themes and periods even if they then cease to study the subject.

GCSE Curriculum

History is a popular option. The course followed is CAIE IGCSE History, concentrating on Twentieth Century History.

Component 1:

Content:

  • International Relations 1919-39
  • Germany, 1918-45

Assessment:

  • Written Paper- 2 hours (40% of total mark)
  • Questions take the form of structured essays split into 3 parts.

Component 2:

Content:

  • One of six International Relations topics for the Twentieth Century (1919-2000), but this changes each year as prescribed by CAIE

Assessment:

  • Written Paper- 2 hours (30% of total mark)
  • Six source-based questions.

Component 3:

Coursework (30% of total mark)

  • Candidates produce one piece of extended writing (2,000 words maximum) arising from their study of Germany, 1918-45
  • Assessed internally, but moderated by CAIE.

Co-curricular, Enrichment, Extension and Support

  • The department runs a number of visits within Years 7-9, including a trip to the First World War Battlefields around Ypres in Belgium
  • Subject-specific enrichment opportunities are available to all students through the Super Curriculum Booklet
  • Students can access additional support and clarification through making appointments with their individual teachers at a lunchtime or after school.