History
History tells our students the most important and most enthralling stories, of where we came from and how we got here. It enables us to see humanity at its best and at its worst, and challenges our preconceptions of what ‘the past’ was like. Our teaching of History embeds a variety of faces and voices, so that our diverse student cohort can see those that ‘mirror’ them but also see through ‘windows’ to others’ experiences.
The skills we teach in History are more important than ever today, as media becomes more fragmented and lies and half-truths spread rapidly. Our students learn to read critically, detect one-sided arguments and weigh up the evidence. Our classrooms are places of discussion, where we listen to others’ viewpoints – this enables our students to become more eloquent in expressing their opinions but respectful of others.
Department team
Mrs N. Pool - Head of Department
Mr A. Jukes - Teacher of History
Mr S. O’Mahony - Teacher of History
Mr C. Jasper - Teacher of History
Curriculum at a glance
Key Stage 3
Year 7: 9th – 16th centuries: an overview of the way that monarchs and the Church have shaped our country and impacted on other cultures. The focus on the changing balance of power between Crown, Church and people helps to prepare for Year 8 as it feeds into Elizabeth, the Civil War and the further development of Parliamentary power.
Year 8: 16th – 19th centuries: an overview of the development of democracy in Britain; the impact of political and economic revolutions on a wider global scale; inequalities, resistance and reform. Year 8 builds on Year 7 chronologically, but also with the themes of power, religion and democracy. Work on expansion, Empire and nationalism towards the end of Year 8 directly feeds into the start of Year 9 with the lead up to the Great War, but also helps to explain the tensions in the inter-war period.
Year 9: an overview of some of the most significant world events of the Twentieth Century, focusing on causation, and political, economic, social and cultural consequences. Year 9 is designed to extend upon the key themes of Year 7 and Year 8, looking at political power and socio-economic change in a range of countries, linked into the impact of both World Wars. We go beyond the one ‘world history’ study of the NC, looking at Russia from 1894 to 1945 as well as two aspects of American history – the interwar period, and civil rights from 1945 to the 1970s. The latter ‘post-war Black History’ unit was inspired by ‘Black Lives Matter’, examines the interconnection between the civil rights movements in the USA and UK, and has been approved by auditors from Representation Matters.
Key Stage 4
Students build on knowledge and understanding developed at Key Stage 3, and gain a new understanding of technological, military, social, economic and cultural developments in Britain, Europe and the wider world. Beginning with 'Superpower Relations' continues their work on the 20th Century from Year 9; choosing Anglo-Saxon and Norman England for the other Paper 2 unit allows them to build on understanding gained in Year 7, and the unit supports their understanding of 'Warfare Through Time' in Year 11 which begins with the feudal system and links back at various stages to work completed in Years 7, 8 and 9. 'Weimar and Nazi Germany' for Paper 3 again builds on understanding gained in Year 9, but at a much more advanced level which allows us to challenge our able students.
Key Stage 5
1H: 'Tsarist and Communist Russia (1855-1964)' gives a broad understanding of the nature of autocratic government, how and why revolutionary activity increased, and the way in which political changes impacted on the economic, social and cultural life of the Russian and Soviet people. The Russian Revolution and the development of Communism are crucial to an understanding of the world in the Twentieth Century and beyond.
2S: 'The Making of Modern Britain (1951-2007)' is a depth study which gives our students a clear insight into how Britain changed and developed from just after the Second World War into the 21st century. We cover political and economic change, alongside music, media, immigration, feminism, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the other factors that have shaped our nation.
The NEA: This is an independently-researched and written piece of coursework on a 100-year period of earlier History. It allows students the opportunity to gain knowledge of an area of History that they are particularly enthusiastic about, alongside developing important skills in independent working and time management.
Enrichment and support
In addition to a broad and stimulating curriculum across all three key stages, the department provides many different ways for students to further their interest. For example: every year, Year 7 have an interactive workshop on Medieval Life with a re-enactment company and a group of Year 9 enjoy a visit to France which takes in the battlefields and memorials of the D-Day landings, bringing their learning to life. We take Year 11 students to Berlin to enrich their understanding of Weimar and Nazi Germany, and the Cold War. EDI is integral to the department’s focus, therefore selected groups of students also take part in the Dora Love Prize and the Lessons From Auschwitz project.
A very well-attended History Society sees weekly talks given by Sixth Form students on other areas of History of interest to them, as well as occasional rewarding visits or online talks by experts in their field. The department offers trips to revision lectures for Year 13, and support for students applying for History at University with after-school meetings that challenge and inspire students to engage with History beyond the curriculum.
