History
The history department is committed to promoting students’ understanding and appreciation of events, forces and ideas that have shaped the world in which they live, and to allow them to make realistic decisions based on evidence and information about the world.
Students are encouraged to question what they read, to reject the mythology, which sometimes surrounds the past, and to acquire the skills that will enable them to make judgements based on evidence.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9)
In Years 7, 8 and 9 students are studying key themes:
Year 7: The importance of the Silk Road and the significance of the African Kingdom of Mali. They will also learn about medieval England paying particular attention to themes such as conflict and co-operation, power and democracy and everyday lives.
Year 8: Aspects of Britain 1500-1920s including the Reformation, Industrial Revolution, Empire, Transatlantic Slave trade, Black British rights and WW1. Students will be paying particular attention to themes such as conflict and co-operation, power and democracy and everyday lives.
Year 9: Aspects of 20th Century including the Germany post WW1 and the rise of Hitler, life in Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, the Second World War and how far Britain has gained equality; focusing on Black British, LGBTQ+ rights. Students will be paying particular attention to themes such as conflict and co-operation, power and democracy and everyday lives.
Key Stage 4 GCSE (Years 10 & 11) Edexcel
Students will have the opportunity to study the following topics:
- British Thematic Study with Historic environment: Medicine in Britain 1250- present including The British sector of the Western Front (Paper 1: 30%)
- Period Study: Superpower relations and the Cold War 1941-91 (Paper 2: 20%)
- British Depth Study: Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588 (Paper 2: 20%)
- Modern Depth Study: Weimar and Nazi Germany (Paper 3: 30%)
Key Stage 5 A Level (Years 12 & 13) Edexcel
Students will have the opportunity to study the following topics:
Year 12:
- British period study and Enquiry: Britain transformed, 1918-1997
- Non-British period study: The USA, c1920-1955: Boom, bust & recovery
Year 13:
- Thematic Study and historical interpretations: The witchcraze in Britain, Europe and North America c1580 – 1750
- Non-exam assessment: The 100-year topic based essay independently researched essay of 3-4000 words
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
KS4 trip to Berlin
KS5 trip (on a 3 year rotation) to Italy
