History

Curriculum intent

The subject aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to help them understand their place in the world around them as what has happened in the past has shaped the present.

Aims of the subject 

• Enable students to make links between themes over time e.g. empire, conflict, challenges to monarchs’ power;
• Develop students’ skills in second order concepts such as change and continuity, significance, cause and consequence;
• Develop skills in source analysis to effectively evaluate evidence; and
• Develop literacy and communication skills through explanation of ideas, supporting an argument.

Key stage 3

Year 7

In year 7, students begin their journey through the medieval world, studying:

• The Romans
• The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
• The Norman Conquest
• Medieval monarchs
• African kingdoms
• The Silk Roads, trade and exploration

Through these topics, students develop an understanding of chronology, change and continuity over time. They are introduced to key historical concepts such as empire, power, trade, and global connections, helping them to understand how societies developed and interacted across different regions of the world.

Year 8

In year 8, students explore how the world changed between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries through the study of:

• The Tudors
• The Stuarts
• The British Empire
• Slavery
• The Industrial Revolution
• Democracy and society

Students build upon their understanding of empire and globalisation, exploring how increased trade, migration and cultural exchange shaped the modern world. They consider the impact of major political, economic and social changes, developing a deeper understanding of how historical events continue to influence society today.

Year 9

In year 9, students examine some of the most significant events of the twentieth century, including:

• The First World War
• 1920s America
• Dictatorships and the rise of extremism
• The Second World War
• The Holocaust
• Post-war Britain

Students continue to strengthen their understanding of chronology, change and continuity while investigating the causes, consequences and significance of major historical events. They explore how war, empire and changing political ideologies shaped Britain and the wider world.

A key part of the year 9 curriculum is the statutory study of the Holocaust, where students develop an understanding of how and why it happened, its impact on individuals and communities, and its continued relevance in the modern world. The course concludes with a study of post-war Britain, enabling students to make connections between the past and many of the social, political and cultural issues that continue to shape contemporary Britain today.

Key stage 4

History is an engaging and interesting subject that will suit students who have an interest in exploring events, developments, and personalities from the past.

What will I learn?

The main components of the course are as follows:

• Thematic study and historic environment – medicine in Britain, c1250-present the British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18 (injuries, treatments and the trenches)
• Modern depth study – Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939
• Period study – The American West, c1835-c1895
• British depth study – Anglo-Saxon and Normans, c1060-88

How will I be assessed?

• Examinations

Future pathways and careers

• Further study in history or related subjects
• Research
• Journalism
• Conservation
• Archaeology
• Teaching
• Law
• Civil services
• Media