History

History enables students to better understand the world around them by studying the past. Through their study of fascinating periods in history from the Middle Ages to the Cold War, students develop vital analytical skills and learn to communicate effectively. Above all, the History Department aims for all students to gain a passion for history and an enthusiasm for learning.

KS3

In Year 7 they start with the Medieval world, focusing on the Battle of Hastings, life in Medieval Britain with a comparison to the Islamic States during the same period. In Year 8 students learn about the British Empire and the slave trade, the Industrial Revolution, the English Civil Wars and the French Revolution. In Year 9, students develop their learning of the slave trade and focus in on the development of the civil rights movement. They also learn about the suffragettes, the First World War and the Holocaust.

Assessment at KS3 focuses on three key areas: knowledge, ability to communicate effectively through essay-writing and the ability to analyse sources.  All of these are vital skills for students to develop, but are also important in preparing students for GCSE History, ensuring a smooth transition into Year 10.

KS4

At GCSE, students follow Edexcel’s Modern World History focusing on Nazi Germany, the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. These topics are all examined in modular exams taken across both Year 10 and Year 11. They also complete a controlled assessment at the end of Year 10 about the effects of the world wars on Britain from 1914 – 1950. This involves more independent work, allowing students to develop research skills and to analyse the sources they use very carefully. This also builds on their previously learning in Year 9 when girls undertook their own research project on the changing role of women.

Sixth Form

A Level, students follow Edexcel’s AS and A2 History course. At AS Level, Students learn about Russia from 1881 – 1953, which they find fascinating as it is an entirely new topic for them. In addition, we cover poverty, public health and the growth of government in 19^th century Britain. As A2 Level students complete coursework on the changing role of women from 1830 – 1950 enabling them to build up an overview of how the lives of women in Britain have changed. As part of this unit we visit the Women’s Library and students choose an aspect of the topic that they wish to investigate further. They also design their own coursework questions, which builds on their independent research skills that they started to develop lower down in the school. They also complete a unit on Germany from 1900 – 1945. This incorporate the popular topic of Nazi Germany, but provides a new perspective by looking at Germany before the First World War and during the Weimar Republic as well.