History
Staffing of the department
Mr Turpie – Head of Department
Mr Mandalos – Teacher of History / Associate Assistant Head
Educational philosophy/Aims of the curriculum
History at GCSE is a fascinating and varied subject that can help with careers in business, the law, teaching and Politics. Our aim is to encourage student interest in History by teaching a wide ranging curriculum with many opportunities for students to become independent learners express their opinions. We believe that an examination of other cultures and timeframes helps children to fully understand our own country’s history and present by setting it in context.
We encourage our students to become active Historians with the skills needed to take the subject at “A” level and beyond. Students will have the opportunity to take part in a number of visits and experiences as part of their studies. Recent visits have included:
- Imperial War museum – Nazi Germany source workshop
- Hitler on trial – Historical play and exam advice day
- History revision one day conferences
- Norman site visit
KS4 curriculum
Through the topics studied KS4 students will be given key opportunities to build their understanding and skills to support understanding and further study in the subject these include: Understanding historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance, and use them to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically-valid questions and create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses.
Understanding the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims, and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed.
To gain a historical perspective by placing their knowledge into different contexts to understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history.
To meet these aims the department encourages debate through our termly ‘big questions’ that allow students to discuss and then vote on topical issues.
KS4 Programme of study
History at GCSE level is an investigation into different and often interlinking aspects of History from the Norman Conquest to the 1990’s.
The examination board followed is AQA, areas taught will include:
- A History of Political changes over time (1170 to today)
- Germany 1890-1945
- International relations 1919-39 (Why did WW2 happen?)
- The Norman Conquest and settlement/Norman architecture
Students will sit two exams at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework.
Our expectations
History at GCSE is a fascinating and varied option subject, it can help with careers in business, the law, teaching and Politics. However, it is hard work and requires independent study. We welcome students who are prepared to be organised and contribute to lessons, and who enjoy finding out about the past and linking it to the present.
