Key Stage 3 ( Years 7-9)

History is a National Curriculum Foundation subject in Years 7 to 9, and is taught for three periods of one hour every two weeks.

During key stage 3 pupils learn about significant individuals and events in the history of Britain from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. They also learn about key aspects of European and world history. They show their understanding by making connections between events and changes in the different periods and areas studied, and by comparing the structure of societies and economic, cultural and political developments. They evaluate and use sources of information, using their historical knowledge to analyse the past and explain how it can be represented and interpreted in different ways.

They will be taught six units over three years.

Year 7 Medieval Realms - Britain 1066 to 1500
Year 7 A World study - Islamic Civilisations - 7th to the 16th centuries
Year 8 Britain 1500 - 1750 - Crowns, Parliaments and Peoples.
Year 8 The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era
Year 9 Britain 1750 to 1900 - Industrial change and Empire
Year 9 Twentieth Century conflict

Key Stage 4 ( Years 10 and 11)

At Key Stage 4 history is an optional subject. Those who choose it for G.C.S.E. will follow the OCR History (Schools History Project) syllabus, which has four basic elements: -

1. M - a study in development and change.
2. The American West 1840 - 1890 - a study in depth.
3. The Arab-Israeli Conflict - a Modern World Study.
4. Castles - History Around Us.

The specific aims of the course are; to give insight into history through empathy; to provide an evidence based approach to history; to develop a sense of time through the study of continuity and change; and to foster the skills of analysis and critical judgement. Through their historical studies pupils will have opportunities to prepare themselves for citizenship, work and leisure.