History
Our curriculum moves away from the traditional, Eurocentric way of looking at History to a more diverse and inclusive syllabus. By decolonising the curriculum in this way, we ensure that students are introduced to a range of different perspectives and histories covering Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Students will also gain a comprehensive knowledge of the History of the UK including breadth and depth studies of the key trends, events, and people that have shaped it. Students explore all of these histories through the lens of concepts ranging from class, race, gender, and equality to religion, rebellion, innovation, and revolution. These are placed into the context of historical time and place in order to ensure that students have a grounded understanding of the past.
In addition, Students should also recognise that the study of History is a process and they should understand the role of the historian in this process. This includes developing an awareness of historical processes such as source analysis, evidential thinking, and the construction of historical interpretations. Students will also be taught how to actively engage with the study of history by critically approaching questions about the past and how to effectively communicate their own interpretations.
Exam Board
AQA
Course Title and Syllabus
GCSE History
Details of Papers
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
- Section A: Period Studies - AB Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship
- Section B: Wider world depth study - BC Conflict and Tension between East and West, 1945-1972)
Studies focus on the key developments in Germany's history from the unification of Germany until the end of the Nazi regime as well as international conflict and tension during the Cold War.
This exam is 2 hours long. There are a total of 84 marks, including four marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG). This paper is worth 50% of the GCSE.
Paper 2: Shaping the nation
- Section A: Thematic studies - AC Britain: Migration, empires and the people, c790 to the present day
- Section B: British depth studies including the historic environment - BC Elizabethan England, c1568-1603
Section A focuses on the three core themes of migration, empire and the impact on people, looking at key developments in Britain over 1000+ years.
Section B focuses on Elizabethan England, the study of a specific historic environment.
This exam is 2 hours long. There are a total of 84 marks, including four marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG). This paper is worth 50% of the GCSE.
Overview
| Year | Term | Topic(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Autumn |
Depth StudyThe Roman Empire Why do historians place so much significance on Julius Caesar's decision to cross a river? Significance; Basic Historical Skills Depth StudyNorman Invasion Did the Normans bring a ‘truck-load of trouble' to England in 1066? Cause and Consequence |
| Spring |
Depth StudyMiddle Ages in England What mattered to people in the Middle Ages? Similarity and Difference Depth StudyMiddle Ages in Africa Does Africa really have ‘no history'? Interpretations |
|
| Summer |
Depth StudyThe Mughal Empire What does the Padshahnamah tell us about the Mughal Royal Court? Evidential Understanding Thematic StudyHer-Story - Women in History What does a study of women through history reveal to us about their position in society? Significance |
|
| Year 8 | Autumn |
Breadth StudyThe Reformation and the Tudors Was the dissolution of the monasteries the most enduring impact of the English Reformation? Consequences & Evidential Understanding Depth StudyThe Industrial Revolution How did the lives of working people change as a result of the Industrial Revolution? Including a local history (London/Croydon) Similarities and Difference |
| Spring |
Depth StudyCauses of WWI Why did two bullets result in the murder of millions? Causation Breadth StudyEvents of WWI What was the impact of WWI on different lives? Similarity and Difference |
|
| Summer |
Thematic StudySugar through time How has sugar impacted people's lives from c1000-present? Change and Continuity |
|
| Year 9 | Autumn |
Depth StudyCivil Rights in America (1865-Present Day) Who contributed most to the American Civil Rights movement? Significance Depth StudyAmerica in the 1920s - Boom to Bust Why are there so many different interpretations of the 1920s in America? Interpretations |
| Spring |
Depth StudyAmerica in the 1920s - Boom to Bust (Continuation) Why are there so many different interpretations of the 1920s in America? Interpretations Depth StudyThe Holocaust Why are stories of the Holocaust so important to tell? Evidential Understanding and Significance |
|
| Summer |
KS3-KS4 Transition Germany - Growth of democracy |
|
| Year 10 | Autumn |
Depth StudyGermany - Recap / Rise of Hitler to Chancellor and to Fuhrer/Dictator and experiences under the Nazis Depth StudyGermany - The experiences of Germans under the Nazis |
| Spring |
Breadth StudyThe origins of the Cold War Breadth StudyThe development of the Cold War |
|
| Summer |
Breadth StudyThe transformation of the Cold War Depth StudyElizabethan England |
|
| Year 11 | Autumn |
Depth StudyElizabethan England inc. Historic Environment Thematic StudyMEP - Conquered and conquerors |
| Spring |
Thematic StudyMEP - Looking West Thematic StudyMEP - Expansion and Empire |
|
| Summer |
Thematic StudyMEP - Britain in the 20th century Examinations |