SubjectsHistory
Our Curriculum Intent
Our History curriculum has been designed to ensure that all students can excel academically whilst also supporting their personal, social, moral, spiritual and cultural development so that they can live life in all of its fullness.
The History department aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills to learn about and question the world around them, guided by a deep knowledge of past events and concepts. Students study key historical events through the lens of disciplinary concepts such as change and continuity, causation, and consequence, developing the ability to analyse trends, create accounts and frame historical questions and arguments. The skills of source analysis and the evaluation of interpretations are at the forefront of our practice to equip students with strong critical thinking skills, preparing them well for the challenges of the modern world.
The curriculum has been designed to ensure it is inclusive and challenging for all students, with a focus on diversifying the curriculum in order to highlight the contributions and experiences of previously underrepresented groups in History. The curriculum also enables students to gain a historical perspective of the connections between local, national and global history while addressing commonly held misconceptions. Throughout the teaching of the curriculum the Academy’s vision and values are apparent. All staff are incredibly passionate about their subject and put the student at the centre of the learning, keeping up to date with recent developments in the subject to ensure that all students are supported and thrive within the subject.
Implementation
At Key Stage 3 students’ follow a chronological curriculum starting in 1066 and ending in the 20th century. A broad range of topics are covered, with case studies included for each time period. There is an academic approach; seeing students engage in historical debates, interpreting and analysing primary sources and forming historical judgements, chosen appropriately for their ability band. Throughout the year students also make comparisons to what other areas in the world are like during the time period that they are studying.
The GCSE curriculum follows the Edexcel programme. All students gain a clear understanding of chosen depth studies and thematic studies, for example students study the thematic study of Medicine in Britain and a Depth Study of Early Elizabethan England. Students also build upon their historical skills developed at KS3.
The Key stage 5 curriculum follows the OCR programme, giving students the opportunity to develop their historical skills and understanding further from their Key stage 3 and Key stage 4 study. The topics of study are chosen to give students a breadth of knowledge across a wide timescale and global history. The NEA component allows students to deepen their understanding of a topic of personal interest and develops many transferable skills. This curriculum prepares students for their next steps post 16 whether that is university study or employment.
The curriculum is divided into Learning Cycles across the year. They have pre-defined discrete knowledge content which is shared in a Knowledge Organiser at the start of each cycle. The cycle will include class teaching and independent home study followed by a week of revision and assessment and a further week of consolidation and extension teaching in response to the cycle assessment outcomes. The development of skills is built in to these cycles of learning, as well as the development of literacy and the Academy’s values. The development of the department pedagogical approach is a priority and is regularly discussed and reviewed.
Impact
The History department provides high quality teaching and learning at every key stage. We have a consistent approach to learning and assessments throughout the team and work collaboratively to ensure the best practice is shared. There are regular discussions surrounding pedagogy and approaches with classroom practice. Formative and summative assessments are carried out regularly. The results of these assessments are reviewed and analysed by all within the department to identify progress and areas of development.
Outcomes at GCSE and A Level demonstrate that students make good progress and we are very proud that a number of students choose to continue studying History or related degrees.