History

Our Department

History has two dedicated classrooms, both of which are fitted with projectors. We also have a wide range of historical textbooks available to us. As a department, we greatly value the importance of extra curricular experiences and, as such, we have organised visits to Poland and Auschwitz and, as part of the AQA syllabus, we complete the study of a historical site as designated by the exam board.

Key Stage 3

The History department has a programme of study for KS3 which covers all topics in a three year time frame. We are now following a new scheme of work which focuses on a thematic approach and is designed to stimulate and inspire students. This means that students have the opportunity to develop their skills in key historical areas including cause and consequence, interpretation and change and continuity. Some of the areas we study are medieval England, the Tudors and the Stuarts, the Industrial Revolution, the slave trade, World Wars 1 and 2, Russia and a local study.

Key Stage 4

GCSE History is taught over a two year time frame in Years Ten and Eleven. There is a two paper examination at the end of the course, with each paper contributing 50% to the final mark and grade.

Paper 1

The topics covered in Paper 1 are Germany 1890-1945 and Conflict and Tension in Europe, 1918-1939. This includes a study of the impact of the First World War on Germany and its political troubles after 1918, the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, the impact of the Great Depression, the rise of Hitler and, lastly, Germany during the Second World War. Section B of Paper 1 includes a detailed study of the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations, and the build up to World War II.

Paper 1 Key Topics

• Germany under the Kaiser.
• The impact of World War One on Germany.
• The Weimar Republic.
• The Great Depression and its impact on Germany.
• Hitler's rise to power.
• Hitler's control of Nazi Germany.
• The impact of the Second World War on Germany.
• The Treaty of Versailles.
• The League of Nations.
• The road to the the Second World War.

Paper 2

For Paper 2, we study GB: Health and the People 1000 to the present day and the Normans 1066-1100.

Paper 2 Key Topics

• Great Britain: Health and the People 1000-present, The Normans 1066-1100
  • Medicine stands still - the medieval era.
  • The beginnings of change - the Renaissance.
  • A revolution in medicine - the industrial revolution.
  • Modern medicine - 20th century to the present day.
• The Normans, Conquest and Control
  • England before 1066.
  • The claimants to the throne in 1066.
  • The battles of 1066, including the Battle of Hastings.
  • How William gained control of England including the use of terror, castle building, and religion.
  • William Rufus (William II).
  • Religious reform under the Normans.

Because of school closures due to the Coronavirus, the Normans will not be studied in the academic year 2020-2021.