History

At Key stage 3 students will go on a historical journey. In year 7 students start off by studying the local history of Hackney so they understand the history of their local community. This is developed onto studying national history and significant events that shaped Medieval and Early Modern History.

In year 8 the study of history is expanded to World history, studying other cultures and Britain’s interaction with these cultures. At the end of year 8 students will do a study of change over a long period of time so they develop skills to track the changes that occur over centuries.

In year 9 students study the key events that shaped the 20^th century and have influenced the modern World. By organising the curriculum in this way, students learn the chronological order of key events. They develop skills to compare events occurring at the same time, broadening their perspective on history.

Knowledge is built upon and revised to solidify concepts and key events. A range of historic sources and historical interpretations are used, this develops their critical thinking skills and debate skills.  

What will students learn?

How will students be assessed?

Students are assessed in a variety of different ways including:

• Formal assessments
• In class retrieval and recap quizzes
• Assessment for learning techniques such as: Traffic cards in planners, thumbs up/down, random questioning and the use of white boards.
• Extended writing tasks, including: Creative writing, source analysis and debates. 
• Staggered questioning to test student’s knowledge and to challenge their thinking.

We follow the EDUQAS WJEC History curriculum. The course focuses on patterns of historical change where students do breadth and depth studies into a period in history. The depth study is Germany in Transition 1919-1939, this is an overview of the impact of World War 1 on Germany, the Weimer recovery of the 1920’s, Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, the impact of the Nazis upon the German people and why World Was 2 started. The breadth study is the Development of the USA, 1929-2000. In this unit they complete an overview of the key economic, social and foreign policy changes in the USA during the 20^th century. This course will help students to understand the impact of the USA on world history.

Year 11 historians study Elizabethan England, 1558-1603, in this unit students study Elizabethan government, popular entertainment during this era and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The final unit the student’s study is the history of entertainment through time, 500 to the present day. Students learn how popular forms of entertainment like; music, the theatre, toys and sport have changed but also stayed the same throughout the years. Culminating into an investigation of a significant historic site and learning about its impact on modern culture. Questions in the exam will test student’s ability to analyse sources, compare historical interpretations and use of precise own knowledge to support arguments.

Students learn how to argue their points of view clearly with supporting evidence and balancing their arguments. They learn how people in the past have behaved and the reasons for this behaviour as well as understanding how historians have interpreted these events. 

History remains a popular option, it develops skills that are useful in careers as diverse as the media, government and administration, education and the law. 

Higher ability learners are consistently pushed and challenged in history class in a number of ways. This includes reading A-level and university reading, analysing historical interpretations and carrying out independent projects.

SEN and vulnerable learners are supported in a number of ways. This includes additional period 6 classes to help boost their grades. Free holiday catch-up sessions and one on one support workshops. 

A number of different enrichment activities are offered to GCSE students. This has included the opportunity to deliver assemblies to the whole school and selected student’s participation in the annual holocaust memorial commemoration.

What will students learn?

How is the course assessed?

Students are assessed through a variety of ways. GCSE students will sit multiple mocks exams which will prepare them for their GCSE exam, this will familiarise students to timing, techniques needed and the environment of an official exam. Students are regularly set practice questions which test their ability to analyse sources and interpretations. They also develop their essay writing skills and by the end of year 11 they can construct arguments with a clear judgement weighing up both sides of a debate.

At GCSE history students also develop their soft skills by doing a variety of tasks such as team work, debate and public speaking. This is done by using a variety of teaching activities, such as; group work, presentations and discussions.