HISTORY

Why study History?

Understanding past events and people and their significance gives students a better insight into the world around them. We believe in the importance of not just learning history, but learning from history. The study of History equips pupils with the ability to critically analyse source material, assess the merits of different arguments, hone their debating skills, and recognise bias and propaganda.

How will I study History?

Pupils study History through big enquiry questions. Each enquiry covers a sequence of lessons. At the end of that sequence of lessons pupils are equipped to formulate their own answer to the enquiry. These are genuine historical debates amongst academic historians. Pupils learn historical concepts that are revisited regularly in different periods of time, locations and people allowing pupils to gain a deeper understanding. Alongside this pupils learn to be historians developing their disciplinary knowledge understanding methods of historical enquiry, how evidence is used to make historical claims and understand why there are different interpretations of the past.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

In Year 7 pupils explore historical enquiries that span the Norman to Tudor period. This includes historical enquiries that explore if the Normans brought trouble to Britain; the significance of the Magna Carta; if 1348 really was the end of the world; was there a Mid Tudor Crisis and was Elizabeth I really Gloriana.
In Year 8 pupils move through the Stuart and Georgian periods. Pupils explore enquiries that cover why the English killed their King; if the world really did turn upside down with no monarch; how modern was Britain by 1789; did the abolition of slavery end slavery; and why is the British Empire on trial; was there an Indian mutiny or a war of independence.
In Year 9 pupils move into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Historical enquiries explore if the Industrial Revolution did bring progress; how democratic was Britain by 1930; why were the Nazis able to implement the Final Solution; why did the British Empire Decolonise; why did western intervention in the Middle East change throughout the twentieth century.

During Key Stage 3 pupils also undertake a historical enquiry on the local area. The start point for this is a Turner painting of Heysham and the Cumbrian Mountains. Pupils explore the Heysham of yesterday and today looking at continuity and change.

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

During Year 10 and 11 Pupils take a thematic study in Medicine in Britain c1250-present. This explores ideas about causes of disease and illness, approaches to prevention and treatment and includes a case study. The thematic study covers Medieval England, the Medieval Renaissance in England, 18th and 19th century Britain, and Modern Britain. As a Historic environment study pupils explore the British sector of the Western Front looking at the injuries, treatment and the trenches.
As a British depth study pupils explore early Elizabethan England. They focus on the Queen, government and religion, challenges to Elizabeth I at home and abroad, and Elizabethan society and the age of exploration.
In addition pupils study a period study focusing on superpower relations and the Cold War. This covers the origins of the Cold War crises, attempts to reduce tension between the East and West, the collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe.
As a Modern depth study pupils study Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39. This covers the Weimar Republic, Hitler’s rise to power, Nazi control and dictatorship, life in Nazi Germany.

Assessment at Key Stage 4

Examination Board: Edexcel

Paper 1: Thematic study and historic environment 1HI0/10-13

Overview	Focus
Written exam (1 hour 15 minutes) 52 marks 30% of GCSE	Section A: Thematic study (Medicine in Britain 1250-present) Section B: British sector of the Western Front 1914-18; injuries, treatment and trenches)

Paper 2: Period study and British depth study 1HI0/2A-2W

Overview	Focus
Written exam (1 hour 45 minutes) 64 marks 40% of GCSE	Section A: Period study (Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91) Section B: British Depth Study (Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88)

Paper 3: Modern depth study 1HI0/30-33

Overview	Focus
Written exam (1 hour 20 minutes) 52 marks 30% of GCSE	Section A and B: Modern Depth Study (Nazi and Weimar Germany, 1918-39)

Enrichment

The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year such as Normandy, London’s Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Pupils also explore their local area including time spent at the local Heritage Centre. Within school there is a local history club who explore historical events of interest to pupils. In lessons History is brought to life through re-enactments, the exploration of artefacts, original film footage and model making. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

Careers

The study of History can lead to future careers ranging from Researcher, Museum Archivist and Journalist to Librarian, Business Consultant and Editor. Famous History graduates include Louis Theroux (documentary filmmaker, author), Jonathan Ross (TV presenter), Joe Biden (US President) and Gordon Brown (ex-British Prime Minister).