Key Stage 3 History

The course aims to increase your interest in why past events are important and to help you to draw your own conclusions by looking at historical evidence. Studying History involves map study, detective work, factual and imaginative writing, discussion, group work and individual studies.

In Year 7 you will study the following units:

• What is History?
• Medieval Realms
• The Making of the UK (Britain in the 16th and 17th Centuries)

• The Making of the UK - Part 2: The English Civil War
• The French Revolution
• Black Peoples of the Americas

In Year 9 you will study units on:

• Britain 1750-1900 (Expansion, Trade and Industry)
• The 20th Century World

You will be encouraged to develop a range of historical skills such as: understanding the nature of evidence, using it to reconstruct the past, understanding the concept of time and the way human society has changed and developed.

Key Stage 4 History

“History will help you understand the world you live in and the actions of people and governments that affect everyone’s lives.”

Details of the Course

GCSE Edexcel Modern World History Syllabus A studied over Years 10 and 11.

Course Content and Structure

The subject is taught through two Outline studies and two Depth Studies.  These are:


1.    USA: 1929-1941 - Depression and New Deal

• The Roaring 20s
• The Wall Street Crash
• FDR and the Dew Deal

2.    USA: 1941-1980 - A Divided Union

• The Civil Rights Movement
• JFK
• The Watergate Scandal

3.    Hitler and Nazi Germany

• The Rise of Adolf Hitler
• Life in Nazi Germany
• Racism and the Treatment of the Jews

4.    Superpower Relations

• The Cold War
• The Cuban Missile Crisis
• The End of the Soviet Union

When are these units taught?

• Year 10:     Units 1 and 2
• Year 11:     Units 3 and 4

How is GCSE History taught?

This course involves students developing a range of distinct skills that will well equip them for future life.  students will develop an ability to recall information and show an understanding of it.  Students will also be able to analyse primary and secondary evidence explaining bias, exaggeration, propaganda and different opinions.  The History department uses a variety of resources to teach GCSE including ICT, videos and museum trips.

Methods of GCSE History Assessment

We keep track of how well the students are doing through regular homework and classwork.  Tests will be given at the end of each topic to asses progress and development.

Final Assessment:
Written Exam 75%   Course Study 25%

A good History student …

• has an interest in the world around us
• is able to consider other points of view and respond with their own interpretation of events.

History and Job Prospects

History is a versatile qualification for various jobs: journalism, media, law and teaching.  History shows any future employer / college that you have the required thinking skills and the ability to handle information appropriately.

Progression routes onto other courses:

• post-16
• AS AL History, Law or Politics