History
An fantastic example of GCSE History work that uses ICT, Music, Drama and great historical understanding.: A podcast of a modern day shock jock in the middle ages:http://trollin.info/smoothfm/podcasts.html Fantastic work, well done.
The History department has an external website located here
Year 7
Aims:
The aim of Year 7 History is to develop an interest in, and understanding of English history by examining sources, assessing evidence and studying the past through story-telling, discussion and focused written work.
Content:
This year, after studying an introductory topic entitled ‘What is History?', we will begin in 1066, the year of the Norman Invasion and the death if three kings. The journey will continue through Norman history, studying many of the medieval kings, the Great Plague, Magna Carta, the death of Thomas a Becket and the War of the Roses. The last study will be why the peopl of this island began to explore and create an Empire across the world, discovering new cultures, lands and riches.
Grouping Arrangements:
Taught in mixed ability groups for the most part except for the Fast-track group.
Homework:
This is usually set every third week as part of a rotation with Geography and RE, this will be a mixture of written work, research and creative projects.
Assessment:
Assessments take place when appropriate and target the different skill areas mentioned above under the ‘Aims' heading. The first topic ‘What is History?' is not formally assessed but the William of Normandy topic culminates in an exam.
Additional Information:
- Students will mainly be using ‘Presenting the Past 1: Britain 1066-1500 by tony McAleavy published by Collins.
- Students will need to bring a pen, pencil and eraser to each lesson.
Year 8
Aims:
The purpose of this year's History programme is to increase the use of skills learnt in Year 7 and apply those skills to a new range of topics, including a European study before 1914.
Content:
Year 8 History is an exciting mix of English and European History stretching from 1509 to 1815. Students cover in depth the reigns of Henry VIII and three of his children: Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, as well as the changing nature of politics and religion in England and Scotland throughout the Tudor period. A study of the reigns of James I, Charles I and James II as well as the Civil War and the Glorious Revolution gives students the opportunity to understand how Parliament took power over time and the creation of Great Britain as a nation after the Act of Union. The year finishes with a twelve week study of the causes of the French Revolution and Napoleon, this is a major European study.
Grouping Arrangements:
Mixed ability classes with the exception of a Fast-track group.
Homework:
This is usually set every third week as part of a rotation with Geography and RE, this will be a mixture of written work, research and creative projects.
Assessment:
Skills assessed-gathering and sorting of evidence to form valid conclusions; the presentation of conclusions in a clear and organised way; looking at cause and consequence, change and continuity, varying interpretations, etc. We also teach research skills. Assessments take place when appropriate and target different skill areas, the first assessment will be and exam on Henry VIII.
Additional Information:
- Students will mainly be using ‘Think History 2: Revolutionary times 1500 - 1700' by Roz Adam, published by Heinemann.
- During the Summer Term they will use ‘Think Through History: Citizens' Minds and the French Revolution' by Jamie Byron, published by Pearson Longman.
- Students will need to bring a pen, pencil and eraser to their History Lessons.
Year 9
Aims:
Students use their knowledge of previous eras to tackle some of the most challenging topics including detailed social and military history throughout the twentieth century.
Content:
The course begins at the start of the twentieth century at a time when most men and all women had no voting rights. We examine the extent, impact and legacy of the British Empire and then the ‘votes for women' campaign is examined in some detail. What follows is a study of the causes of the First World War, the Battle of the Somme and the other theatres of European war, the rise of Japan, Appeasement, the Second World War, the Holocaust and finally the course ends in the trials of Nuremberg.
Grouping Arrangements:
Taught in mixed ability groups for the most part except for the Fast-track group.
Homework:
This is usually set every third week as part of a rotation with Geography and RE, this will be a mixture of written work, research and creative projects.
Assessment:
A number of assessments will be undertaken in Year 9 including an exam on the First World War and its causes, as well as other assessments.
Additional Information:
- Students will mainly be using two core texts this year: ‘Think History 3, Modern Times 1750 - 1990' by Caroline Beechever published by Heinemann, and ‘Discovering the Past Year 9, Peace and War', by Colin Shepherd published by John Murray.
- Pens, pencils and a ruler are essential equipment.
Years 10/11
There are three elements to this course:
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One piece of coursework, which looks at South Africa since 1948. this piece is marked out of 50.
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A Knowledge and Understanding Exam (Paper 1) will be based on two more parts of the course. The first is the Depth Study - The American West 1840-1895. The second is our Study in Development-Crime and Punishment Through Time. Crime and Punishment is a new topic for GCSE History: students study Crime numbers, methods of Punishment and the main trends in this field spanning Ancient Rome to the Twentieth Century. This paper is marked out of 75.
- A second paper (Paper 2) uses sources from the Crime & Punishment course to answer an enquiry on a more focused part of the crime course. This paper is marked out of 50. Spelling and punctuation are important and will influence GCSE grades.
Although a challenging course GCSE History takes a wide ranging look at topics as varied as Jack the Ripper's reign of terror to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, as well as looking at the change in attitudes towards Native Americans and the introduction of the death penalty in Britain for theft.
Homework: this will be set every week of the GCSE course, there will be written work, exam preparation, revision cards and coursework. Parents are expected to encourage students to complete all homework in detail and on time.
Assessment:
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Coursework 25%
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Examination 75%
Exam Board: OCR 1935
NB: At present the government is considering important changes to GCSE History, this will mean changes may be made to this curriculum.