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History (Humanities)
Head of Humanities Department: Mrs Green
Head of Subject: Giles Dicks
Overview
History develops students’ skills in numerous ways. These may include critical analysis and the ability to comprehend and challenge accepted notions about society and the past. History is taught in a variety of ways, varying from the traditional to the progressive, which may include role plays and student-centred tasks. All students are taught in mixed-ability classes.
Key Stage 3
Students in Year 8 are taught for one hour per week. The course has two units, the first consisting of an examination of the lives of African-Americans which expands to consider briefly elements of the history of the United States. The second half is a study of Tudor and Stuart England which includes topics such as the Reformation and the Civil War.
Students in Year 9 are taught for three hours per fortnight. The course focuses on the Twentieth Century and includes the study of topics such as World War One, The Russian Revolution, the rise of Hitler and the Holocaust.
Homework’s in Key Stage 3 consist of 2 (Year 8) or 3 (Year 9) substantive projects per year.
GCSE Course Overview
There are approximately 100 students in each of years 10 and 11 studying GCSE. The course extends some elements of work completed in year 9.
The chosen syllabus is AQA Modern World History. Topics under scrutiny are:
Weimar Germany
Hitler’s Germany
The Cold War 1945- 1970
The USA and Vietnam
The Controlled Assessments are focussed on Britain at War.
AS/A Level Course Overview
The course is divided both by year and into Medieval and Modern sections, and follows the AQA syllabus.
AS Course
Unit 1 – Russia and Germany 1871-1914.
This provides an overview of the development of Imperial Germany and Tsarist Russia.
Unit 2 – The Norman Conquest 1060-1087.
This is an examination of the causes and consequences of the last invasion of England.
A2 Course
Unit 3 – This is a study of England between 1154 and 1217, which encompasses the reigns of Henry II, Richard the Lionheart and John.
Unit 4 – Historical enquiry (extended essay)
This unit is a synoptic study of a period of the hundred years surrounding the War of the Roses.
Students are encouraged to use as many sources as possible including video, audio, written and the internet.
Trips
The Department encourages school visits which have included Rochester Castle, Battle (Hastings), Ypres (Belgium) and a number of year 12 and 13 conferences.
