History
History allows students to develop a deep understanding of the many key events in the past that have shaped the world we live in today. Through personal research, class discussion, source evaluation and appropriate written work, students will enjoy discovering the past and acquire a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the subject. But more than this, students will develop a lively and enquiring mind that refuses to accept information at face value, weigh the evidence and conflicting opinions, detect bias, and help decide what they believe the truth to be.
Key Stage 3
We cover a broad curriculum. Years 7 and 8, as part of the Lower School Curriculum, cover a range of topics that link with other departments. For example, 'Great Lives', 'The road to Democracy' and 'Perspectives of Empire'. In Year 9 students study 20th Century topics such as The Great War, Tsarist Russia and World War Two.
I thought History GCSE was going to be just taking lots of notes, but it's definitely the opposite, the lessons are informative and everyone gets involved in the group discussions.
Courses offered
GCSE History
The course consists of 3 papers:
Paper 1 – Crime and Punishment
A fascinating look at the change and continuity in crime, law enforcement and punishment over a period of 1000 years from the Anglo-Saxons to the present day. Topics include Medieval Punishment, A Case Study of the Gunpowder Plot, Witchcraft in the King James era, the impact of war on crime and punishment, the changing attitudes in the 20th century and the establishment of the prison system. To finish, we will look at the area of Whitechapel including an in-depth look at Jack the Ripper and H Division (Police) as well as the victims (using Hallie Rubenhold's The Five as a basis of investigation).
Paper 2 - Early Elizabethan England and Cold War
Early Elizabethan England starts at the moment Elizabeth ascends to the throne and the numerous issues she faces including religious divisions, foreign threats and her own legitimacy. Topics will also include Mary, Queen of Scots, The Armada, Raleigh and Exploration and Elizabethan education.
The Cold War includes topics such as the Hungarian Uprising, the Berlin Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Prague Spring, the Afghanistan War (1980s) and Gorbachev's role in the fall of communism.
Paper 3 - Russia and the Soviet Union (1917-1941)
This topic covers the causes of the Russian Revolution and the key players involved in it, including Lenin and his rise to power, the Red Terror, the murder of the Tsar and his family, Stalin's rise to power, Stalin's policies, and life in the Soviet Union under Stalin.
A Level History
Aims of the Course
- To prepare students for degree-level study
- To heighten awareness of the complex interrelation between social, political and economic factors in the decision-making process
- To allow students to make sense of an increasingly complex and confusing world.
Course Structure
- Germany and West Germany (1918-89)
- Spain (1930-78) Republicanism, Francoism and the re-establishment of democracy
- The British experience of warfare (1790-1918)
- Ireland: The causes of the Easter Rising
Exam Board: Pearson
Enrichment
Beyond the curriculum, the department runs a popular History Society which offers students the opportunity to research periods of history of their choice.
We hold annual lectures in support of our Sixth Form curriculum (open to all students) and we host outside speakers and workshops from ‘The Time Traveller‘. Trips include Battle in Hastings in Year 7 and Berlin for older students.
Follow our department's Instagram Feed and YouTube channel for the latest on what we are doing.
Mrs Suzanne Allen-Monk
Head of History
History Students Enhance their Knowledge in Berlin
