History

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Curriculum Vision/Intent

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

GCSE History

GCSE History focuses on the issues arising between nations during the turbulent 20th century, as well as in-depth studies in US and British History. If you have enjoyed what you have studied so far in History, you will enjoy the GCSE course.

As well as giving you the opportunity to study fascinating periods of History; you will gain valuable and transferable skills. Many employers and colleges value History very highly as you will have developed a range of skills such as communication, the ability to question and the confidence to develop your own opinions.

Throughout the course, students will study a number of units from different periods in history.

Below is a brief summary of the types of topics students can expect during the course:

  • Migrants in Britain c800-present including the Viking invasion of York and the Empire Windrush with a focus on Notting Hill, exploring the Riots through to the carnival we enjoy today.
  • Early Elizabethan England including changes to the church, Mary Queen of Scots’ and the Spanish Armada.
  • US-Soviet relations including events in Cuba and Berlin.
  • The development of civil rights in the USA including Martin Luther King and Malcom X as well as the US involvement in Vietnam.

Homework 

In KS3, students will be given a booklet each half term. This will include a page with key words and definitions, key dates and events and a final page with a 'Meanwhile, elsewhere' worksheet. The purpose of the homework is for students to learn and understand key terminology as well as developing a working chronology of key dates and periods studied. The final 'Meanwhile, elsewhere' worksheet allows students the opportunity to carry out a small amount of research and contextualize what was happening elsewhere in the world alongside the events being studied in class.

In KS4, the majority of homework tasks are follow-up work, preparation or examination questions.

Books, Equipment, Materials and Resources Recommended/Needed

A good stationery set is required at KS3 and 4.

Opportunities for Study Beyond KS4

A-level history combines well with maths and science subjects to create an attractive portfolio of qualifications, enabling students to move on to a university science based course. Combined with English, sociology, geography, drama or a modern foreign Language, it would provide a good basis for an arts or languages based degree.

Career Opportunities Supported by this Subject

History is still an academically respected subject as well as being highly valued and respected by employers who demand history students for the unique combination of skills they have gained during their studies.

Historical skills provide an excellent foundation for a number of popular careers. A knowledge of current affairs is useful for careers such as journalism, broadcasting, and the civil and diplomatic service. Historical skills like research are useful for careers in law, publishing, management, and librarianship and of course, careers where a knowledge of the past is important include architecture, archive work, heritage jobs, TV/radio programme research, conservation/natural history.

Year 10

Year 11

The Curriculum Lead is Mr Steven Shortland.