History

Departmental Aims

• To inspire students to develop a love and value of the study of the past, generating an interest that will remain with them for life.
• To transmit knowledge and understanding of the past, both within the United Kingdom and of the wider world. Students should have an understanding of how the world we live in has been shaped by the past.
• To equip students with life skills such as thinking, evaluating, analysing, empathizing and communicating as there are very few jobs that do not require these skills.

Facilities

• Four full time teachers and one part time teacher, all of whom are specialists in the subject. They bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom, including experience in public examining and academic writing and research.
• A wide range of resources in order to enable students to be able to access the full range of materials require to succeed in the subject.

Years 7-9 Curriculum

History is compulsory during the first three years of the Senior School and is taught as an autonomous subject within mixed ability groups. In Year 7, students will learn about Medieval Realms: Britain, 1066-1500 through the key themes of power, belief and society. In Year 8 students study Revolution and Restoration: Britain, 1603-1745, as well as completing project work on Britain’s involvement in the Slave Trade and its abolition.

In Year 9, a unit considering how far the First World War was a turning point in history is studied. In all courses students will develop key skills such as the ability to recall factual material, assess the concepts of cause and consequence and change and continuity, and evaluate source material.

Thus, this range of topics allows students to experience medieval, early modern and modern history thereby enabling them to make an informed choice for Years 10 and 11, and to have studied a wide range of themes and periods even if they then cease to study the subject.

Co-curricular, Enrichment, Extension and Support

• The Department runs a number of visits within Years 7-9 including to the First World War Battlefields around Ypres in Belgium.
• Students can access additional support and clarification through making appointments with their individual teachers at a lunchtime or after school.

GCSE Curriculum

History is a popular option. The course followed is CAIE IGCSE History, concentrating on Twentieth Century History.

Component 1:

Content:

• International Relations 1919-39
• Germany, 1918-45

Assessment:

• Written Paper- 2 hours (40% of total mark)
• Questions take the form of structured essays split into 3 parts

Component 2:

Content:

• One of six International Relations topics for the Twentieth Century (1919-2000) but this changes each year as prescribed by CAIE

Assessment:

• Written Paper- 2 hours (33% of total mark)
• Six source-based questions

Component 3:

Coursework (27% of total mark)

• Candidates produce one piece of extended writing (2000 words maximum) arising from their study of Germany, 1918-45
• Assessed internally, but moderated by CAIE

Co-curricular, Enrichment, Extension and Support

• IGCSE course related articles for further reading are provided on Infozone.
• Students can access further support and clarification by making an individual appointment to see their teacher at a lunchtime or after school