In Year 7 students will trace the development of Britain from the Norman invasion of 1066 to the English Civil War and the subsequent rule of Oliver Cromwell.. In year 7 students will learn about many of the most well-known aspects of English and British history. William the Conqueror and the invasion of 1066, the Tudors and the Civil War will all be studied. Additionally, students will also learn history from below – what it was like for ordinary people to live through these times. Students will, in the main, study events in chronological order although in order for the thematic IMYC approach to work, the Tudors will be studied last. Students will develop both a broad understanding of this period as well as the historical skills of writing extended answers and analysing sources.
Students will discover how far the Norman Conquest altered England, from the way the country was ruled to the language that we spoke. There will be a particular emphasis on why William the conqueror was able to emerge victorious as one of three contenders for the throne in 1066.
Students will study the lives of medieval people. There will be particular emphasis on how people lived – the different work that they had to do, their pastimes and how they celebrated. Students will also look at the Black Death of the 14th Century and the changes that this brought to the country.
Students will consider how different views or interpretations have been created by historians. They will study the reign of both King John and Richard III and in the case of the latter, look at how his recent discovery in a car park in Leicester has helped change opinions of the man more than 500 years after his death. In addition, students will consider interpretations of Charles I and Oliver Cromwell.
Students will study the eventful reign of the Tudor monarchs – Henry VIII and his six wives, Bloody Mary and Elizabeth I in particular. Students will learn how to create balanced arguments when considering the lives and importance of three of England’s most well-known monarchs.
Students will be given a homework project on each of the themes that they study. Additional homework may be set by the class teacher to help prepare students for assessments as well as developing their understanding, skills and knowledge.
Students will be assessed at three separate points throughout the year. Assessments will be in the same format and will test students’ knowledge, understanding, explanation and source analysis. skills.
By encouraging your child to read for pleasure – this will help them develop their written work. If helping your child with written work get them to follow the PEE structure.
P- Point that answers the question
E – Evidence to support the point from specific own knowledge
E – Explain how the evidence helps answer the question
In year 8 students will look at the development of the modern world, both in Britain and further afield. Beginning with the history of the Atlantic Slave trade students will study the lives of slaves from Africa to the Caribbean and learn how this was driven by the industrial revolution. Students will then look at the two major conflicts that shaped the 20th Century – the First and Second World War. In the case of the latter students will also study how the conflict changed the lives of people in Britain as well as leading to the terrible events of the Holocaust in mainland Europe. Finally, students will look at the events of the ‘swinging ‘60’s’.
Students will study how Britain was transformed by the events of the industrial revolution into the modern country that we know today. This was driven by the risk that entrepreneurs and workers in search of a better life were prepared to make. In turn this fuelled the Atlantic Slave Trade that carried huge risks for the people that were caught up in this terrible trade. Students will also look at the crimes of Jack the Ripper and the sinking of the Titanic as they consider the effects of the industrial revolution on society.
Students will study how historians have created different interpretations of the major events of both the First and Second World War. Amongst other controversies, students will consider the role of General Haig in the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago, the success or failure of the Allied retreat from Dunkirk in 1940 as well as the controversial decision by America to drop two atomic bombs on Japan.
Students will continue to look at the events and impact of the Second World War by considering British and Jewish identity during the war through the events of the Blitz and the Holocaust respectively.
Students will develop their ability to write structured written responses whilst considering the events of the 1960s, from the music and fashions that defined a decade to the moon landing and assassination of JFK.
Students will be given a homework project on each of the themes that they study. Additional homework may be set by the class teacher to help prepare students for assessments as well as developing their understanding, skills and knowledge.
Students will be assessed at three separate points throughout the year. Assessments will be in the same format and will test students’ knowledge, understanding, explanation and source analysis. skills.
By encouraging your child to read for pleasure – this will help them develop their written work. If helping your child with written work get them to follow the PEE structure.
P- Point that answers the question
E – Evidence to support the point from specific own knowledge
E – Explain how the evidence helps answer the question
Course title and type of qualification: History GCSE (9 - 1)
This is a new course that will allow students to learn about events from three different eras
– Medieval, Early Modern and Modern. We will study the following periods:
Option 11: Medicine in Britain, c1250–present and The British sector of the Western Front,
1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.
Option 26/27: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91
Option B3: Henry VIII and his ministers, 1509–40
Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
30%* of the qualification. 52 marks (16 for the historic environment, 36 for the thematic study).
Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
40%* of the qualification
64 marks (32 for the period study and 32 for the British depth study)
Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes
30%* of the qualification
52 marks
You could choose to continue with the study of History by taking AS in the Sixth form or at college. The skills learnt at GCSE History will also complement the study of subjects such as English Literature, Politics and Sociology. A GCSE in History shows that you have a high level of literacy and that you are able to analyse complex information. These skills are highly valued by colleges and employers.
Exam Board: Edexcel
