History

Curriculum Vision and Intent

  • To promote respectful and compassionate learning environment, with empathetic appreciation for diversity and difference
  • To develop intellectual curiosity and wisdom through historical enquiry
  • To build student confidence and resilience in their approach to historical study through an exploration of second order historical concepts including; causation, change, continuity, similarity, difference and historical significance.
  • To develop and sustain an understanding and appreciation for justice through the exploration of a broad range of key historical controversies.

KS3 curriculum and assessment

Year 7

Breadth Study: Power, Rebellion and Control 1066-1485

Enquiry Question: How is power taken, consolidated and challenged in Medieval Society?

Depth Study – The Renaissance  

Enquiry Question: How did the Renaissance impact English society and culture?

Theme Study – Medicine Across Time: Ancient Medicine to the Renaissance

Enquiry Question: How has the approach to illness and medicine developed over time?

Year 8

Breadth Study: Power, Reform and Society 1485-1900
Enquiry Question: How has government, empire, and industry transformed society?

Depth Study: Victorian Crime and Punishment
Enquiry Question: How have approaches to Crime and Punishment in the Victorian Period changed over time?

Thematic Study: Slavery to Civil Rights
Enquiry Question: How have access to opportunity and rights changed over time?

Year 9

Breadth Study: Empire, War and Identity 1700-1950
Enquiry Question: How has the impact of empire and war transformed identity?

Depth Study: Germany in the Interwar period
Enquiry Question: How did challenges to democracy impact Germany and its people 1918-1939?

Thematic Study: 20th Century Discrimination
Enquiry Question: How has 20th century discrimination impacted society?

Assessment at KS3

The history team has created a series of assessments which enable frequent feedback to support student progression as well as prepare students for future study.

Assessments are designed to support students in the following areas:

  • acquisition and retention of content knowledge;
  • vocabulary development;
  • analysis of second order concepts;
  • written communication and attitude to learning.

Formats include; 

  • short answer knowledge tests
  • spelling tests
  • short answer questions
  • extended writing questions
  • creative tasks

KS4 curriculum and assessment

Exam board – OCR HISTORY A

GCSE curriculum

Year 10

Period Study – International Relations: the Changing International Order 1918-1975

Non-British Depth Study – Germany 1925-1955: The People and the State.

Year 11

British Thematic study – Migration to Britain 1000-2010

British depth study – The Impact of Empire on Britain 1688-1730

Study of the Historic Environment – Urban Environments: Patterns of Migration in Spitalfields Market, London

Internal assessment at KS4

  • Timed practice questions
  • knowledge tests
  • mock exams

External assessment at KS4

Period Study – International Relations: the Changing International Order 1918-1975 with Non-British Depth Study – Germany 1925-1955: The People and the State.

  • 105 marks 1 hour 45 minute written paper (50% of total GCSE)

British Thematic study – Migration to Britain 1000-2010

  • 50 marks 1 hour written paper (25% of total GCSE)

British depth study – The Impact of Empire on Britain 1688-1730 with Study of the Historic Environment – Urban Environments: Patterns of Migration in Spitalfields Market, London

  • 55 marks 1 hour 15 minute written paper (25% of Total GCSE)

KS5 curriculum and assessment

Entry requirements

Minimum of grade 6 at GCSE History required

Subject Combinations

History combines well with many subjects such as English (Publishing and Journalism), politics, international relations, sociology, law, modern languages and economics, as well as the sciences (archaeology and restoration work).

EXAM BOARD AQA

1C: The Tudors: England is a breadth study which enables students to develop a secure understanding of the process of change over time.

  • Year 12: consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England, 1485–1547
  • Year 13 : England: turmoil and triumph, 1547–1603

2Q: The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980 is a depth study which is focused on a significant period of historical change.

  • Year 12: prosperity, inequality and Superpower status, 1945–1963
  • Year 13: challenges to the American Dream, 1963–1980

Component 3: Historical investigation is a non-exam assessment which offers an opportunity for students to develop an enhanced understanding of the nature and purpose of history as a discipline and how historians work. To ensure that this represents a substantial study, the issue to be investigated has to be placed in the context of approximately 100 years. It must not duplicate the content studied for components 1 or 2.

  • Year 12: Research and Planning
  • Year 13: Writing and final submission

Internal assessment at KS5

  • timed essays
  • knowledge tests
  • mock exams

External assessment at KS5

  • 1C: The Tudors: England, 1485–1603 Exam: 2 hours 30 minutes (40% of A Level)
  • 2Q: The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980 Exam: 2 hours 30 minutes (40% of A Level)
  • Component 3: Historical investigation (non-exam assessment) Analytical essay 3500-4500 words (20% of A Level)

Extra and super-curricular opportunities

All students are provided with a super-curricular study list of resources including; films, documentaries, readings, fiction novels, and historical sites.

Future opportunities (careers, university courses)

A large proportion of our students study A-level History and many also take Government and Politics. Employers and universities are impressed with History qualifications – students have been trained to think carefully, to support what they say with evidence and to work independently.

The study of History is excellent preparation for a career in many fields. The research and analytical skills developed prepare students for a career in policy-making and research, law, consultancy, accountancy and banking. The communication skills developed are excellent for working in journalism, publishing and media. An understanding of the past will help with a career in the fields of heritage, museums, archaeology, the arts, archives and libraries. History is also suitable for working in politics, government and the civil service.