History

Seeking to develop independent enquirers

History helps you to understand the present by investigating the past. It can fire your curiosity by allowing you to investigate the decisions made in the past and the reasons for them. It helps you understand who you are, helps give you a sense of place and a sense of identity. It gives you an appreciation of other cultures and their contributions to Britain and the wider world.

It helps you understand where Britain fits into the wider world and how this has changed over time. You are able to investigate, evaluate and interpret past actions. You can develop the ability to read source material with discrimination, asking questions of it. You can develop your skills as an independent thinker and learner. You will understand why we study certain events, why do we remember, why do things from the past matter. You will be prepared for life beyond the classroom. Your skills, knowledge and innate sense of curiosity will be encouraged to thrive and these are the skills that will take you through life.

"Only a good-for-nothing is not interested in his past." Sigmund Freud

Key Stage 3

History at Key Stage 3 looks at developing a range of key concepts, such as ‘chronological understanding’, ‘diversity’, ‘cause and consequence, and ‘significance’. There is also an emphasis on developing skills such as ‘enquiry’, ‘using evidence’, and ‘communicating about the past’. These skills are developed through the study of a number of phases and aspects of history. Key Stage 3 History looks at Britain and the wider world, and the relationship between the two. Within Year 7 the focus is on medieval Britain, and there is also an investigation of Native Americans. In Year 8 the emphasis is on Britain between 1485 and 1750, and an investigation of the Industrial Revolution. In Year 9 students investigate the topic of slavery, and also study the Twentieth Century World. Assessment is via regular checking of students’ books, as well as a number of more formally set tasks through the year. These develop a variety of skills, and investigate the topic currently being studied. For example, Year 9 assessments focus on slave transport and World War One. Visits throughout KS3 include Portchester Castle with Year 7, and Seacity Museum in Southampton with Year 8, both visits complementing the work done in class. An optional Year 9 trip to Belgium supports work on World War One, and more generally the importance of remembrance.

KS3 History Steps

Key Stage 4

Our GCSE History course examines some of the significant events in modern history and attempts to explain how and why they took place, as well as their impact. It also looks at a topic across a broad period, and a pivotal period in British history. We investigate Russia from 1895 to 1945, including topics such as the fall of Tsar Nicholas II, Lenin’s Russia, and the rise to power of Joseph Stalin, as well as life in Soviet Russia. A fascinating country, with an utterly intriguing story to investigate and analyse. (Please note that from September 2020 the new Year 10 will study Germany in the first half of the 20th Century, rather than Russia. The transformation in this country’s fortunes in these years, and the collapse of a short-lived democracy to be replaced by Hitler’s dictatorship provides an awful and compelling message to all future generations)

We also investigate the World between the World Wars. We look at how the peace deals at the end of World War One helped cause World War Two, we look at attempts to keep the peace, and we look at the causes of World War Two. Understanding this crucial period in World history really helps pupils understand some of the issues facing the World today. We look at an aspect of British history over the last 1000 years – to develop understanding of an issue over time. The issue we will investigate is changes in the nation’s health, from the Black Death up to the modern era of transplants and antibiotics. This is a fascinating, challenging, (and sometimes slightly gruesome!) delve into our nation’s social history.

We also study the pivotal phase of our nation’s history that was the Norman Conquest – looking at the landmark event that was the Battle of Hastings, but also ‘what happened next’.

Assessment is via two exams, both at the end of Year 11 and worth 100% of the final grade. Both exams are 1 hour 45 minutes long. Paper 1 focuses on ‘World’ history. Paper 2 focuses on British history. Both exams test a variety of historical skills, including the ability to analyse sources, and to develop, and sustain, an argument. Recent trips to support this course have included visits to Berlin, and to Russia.

Exam specification information http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/gcse/history-8145