History Curriculum Intent 

"To understand where we’ve been and identify where we are going."
Learning about the rise of the Nazi Party and the Holocaust develops empathy and allows pupils to learn from the worst of humanity. By studying medieval society and feudalism right up to modern day government achievements such as the creation of the NHS, pupils develop an understanding of critical social, political and economic issues. Understanding chronology and the major changes that have occurred throughout history helps pupils to develop a knowledge of local as well as national issues in Britain; which in turn create a sense of identity within our current multicultural society. Pupils also learn to challenge past and current misconceptions using evidence and evaluative skills by analysing the use of propaganda in the twentieth century. This will provide pupils with a way of distinguishing the truth in a modern society of ‘fake news’ and social media. Historical skills lend themselves to many current vital roles such as politics, military service, law and teaching.  Overarching we will instil a passion for History amongst the students for them to be critical and motivated learners who want to know more about the past. We aim to develop their cultural awareness by making them aware of the wider national and international surroundings with a desire to aspire and achieve.


Implementation
Learning is embedded through the development of knowledge and skills over time and through overlapping concepts and the interleaving of ideas and historical skills. There are 3 data collections point per year in KS3 and per year 4 at KS4. Key stage 3 assessments cover all subject matter. Pupils at KS3 enjoy studying history in a chronological structure that helps builds the connections needed to fully analyse key themes at higher levels. As pupils begin they will be introduced to key historical skills, these will be assessed and built on throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 to ensure a progressive learning journey. Year 7 will act as a cornerstone for skill development and knowledge understanding, the spiral curriculum and assessment will allow for further levels of depth and understanding added through the learning journey.  This progression allows for effective differentiation, marking and feedback and stretch for more able pupils. Regular extended writing allows pupils to developing their language and vocabulary. Students will develop oracy skills to be fully confident and articulate in verbal responses.


Impact
By the end of Key Stage 3 pupils will have a chronological understanding of world history from Roman times to Modern Day. They will have developed their communication skills to produce verbal responses and extended pieces of writing varying from whether Haig was a hero or a butcher and analysing the reliability of WW1 diary extracts. Pupils will be able to compare key events of the past with events happening around the world today. As pupils move through the course they will be introduced to source and interpretation skills. They will also explore how to explain the significance of events such as the Slave Trade and individuals like Jack the Ripper. They will leave KS3 having begun to study and understand the various concepts and events of the GCSE course. By the end of Key Stage 4 pupils will demonstrate a deeper understanding of British and world history. They will be able to independently describe, explain and evaluate a greater range of key individuals and events across the historical timeline, whilst also being able to draw links and connections between them. Pupils will also advance their analysis skills so that they are confident at evaluating complex historical sources and interpretations. Through this their decision making and judgment will continue to improve.


Learning Journey 
Click to view our learning journey road map for History


Long Term Plan
To  view our History Long Term Plans, please click on the links below 

 

Core Knowledge Overviews
Below you will find core knowledge and further reading overviews for each half term at Key Stage 3

Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The more you know about the past, the more prepared you are for the future." - Theodore Roosevelt

Examination Board
The examination board for this subject is Pearson Edexcel

Click to view the exam board specification 

Student Resources

The following resources will be helpful for students studying History and Key Stage 4:

Topic booklet American West
Topic booklet Elizabethan England
Topic Booklet Weimar and Nazi Germany
Topic booklet Medicine and the Western Front

 

External Resources

Useful History websites to aid learning at Key Stage 3:
•    www.activehistory.co.uk 
•    www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zj26n39 
•    www.bbc.co.uk/history 
•    www.historylearningsite.co.uk  
•    www.spartacus.schoolnet.com


All students in years 10 and 11 have access to GCSE revision online or by downloading the Seneca app