HISTORY
Department vision
Our aim as a department is to create and foster a passion among our students to investigate questions in the past and how these relate to the modern world of today in a challenging environment. As well as learning about what happened in the past, history is essential to develop skills such as interpretation, research, analysis and evaluation, abilities that are essential at university and in the work place.
Year 7
Year 7
| Topic | Learning Outcomes | |
| Term 1 | What does History mean and who do you think you are? | This topic is to introduce our students into the world of History and the skills to go alongside it. They will cover questions and topics such as: What is History Introduction to chronology Introduction to types of History and categorisation Introduction to causation/paragraph structure Introduction to sources Usefulness of a source Significance of individual/event/place Research skills and project |
| Term 2 | Why was William able to conquer England from 1066-1085? | This topic covers the Norman invasion in 1066. The main skill being developed this term is analysis and paragraph structure. Topics covered are: Anglo-Saxons/England in 1060s Claimants to the throne in 1066 The battle of Hastings William’s takeover of power (Inc. the Domesday Book, Feudal System, Harrying of the North). Castles (Motte and Bailey). Overview of impact of NC |
| Term 3 | What was the most significant event of the Middle Ages? | This topic covers various events that defined the English Middle Ages and their impact. The main skill being developed this term is significance, and obtaining understanding of impact both in the short-term and long-term. Topics covered are: Magna Carta Simon De Montfort and the Provisions of Oxford Peasants Revolt |
| Term 4 | What was the most significant event of the Middle Ages? | This topic covers various events that defined the English Middle Ages and their impact. The main skill being developed this term is significance, and obtaining understanding of impact both in the short-term and long-term. Topics covered are: Thomas Becket Black Death |
| Term 5 | Were the Tudors really all that? | This topic covers the Tudor period and questions the stereotypes of Tudor England. The main skill being developed this term is evaluating interpretations when comparing to research. Topics covered are: Wars of the Roses/princes in the Tower Boring, Boring Henry 6 wives of Henry VIII Causes of Reformation and its impacts Bloody Mary? The Golden Age of Elizabeth |
| Term 6 | Which sources are the most useful to understand about Stuart England? | This topic covers the Stuart period and gets students to examine the period through using a selection of sources. The main skill being developed this term is evaluating the usefulness of the sources to understand a topic in History. Topics covered are: Gunpowder plot – causes and outcomes (AO1, AO2, AO3, AO4). Causes of Civil War (AO1, AO2) Reasons why Parliament won the civil war. (AO1, AO2) Interregnum and Restoration of Charles II (AO1, AO2, AO3). |
Year 8
Year 8
| Topic | Learning Outcomes | |
| Term 1 | How did the Industrial Revolution transform Britain? | This topic covers the period of the Industrial Revolution and impacts I had on various aspects of life in Britain. The main skill being developed this term is analysis and essay writing skills. Topics covered are: Changes during the period Causes of the revolution Significance of entrepreneurs Working conditions of children Living conditions/Town life |
| Term 2 | Why were experiences of Empire so different? | This topic covers aspects of the British Empire and studying the topic through using contemporary sources. The main skill being developed this term is evaluating the usefulness of sources. Topics covered are: Why did the empire grow? Impacts of the empire on different groups/societies Causes of Slave Trade The Middle Passage Plantation life of slaves Abolition of slave trade |
| Term 3 | Was World War 1 all mud, blood and death? | This topic covers aspects of World War 1 and analysing pre-conceived notions of what the war was like. The main skill being developed this term is evaluating interpretations and deciding how convincing they are or not using research. Topics covered are: What were the causes of WW1 What was life like in a trench The Battle of the Somme Recruitment/ Propaganda Home life during WW1 Reasons for victory |
| Term 4 | How did the Great War lead to a Greater war? | This topic covers the inter-war years and analysing why World War 2 happened. The main skill being developed this term is analysis of causation and consequence, as well as paragraph structure. Topics covered are: Reactions to the Treaty of Versailles Rise of Dictators across Europe The rise and theory of Communism The rise of Hitler |
| Term 5 | What was the main turning point of World War 2? | This topic covers WW2 and analysing why the allied forces ended up victorious. The main skill being developed this term is essay based evaluation. Topics covered are: Causes of the war General chronology and flow Dunkirk and the extent of success Operation Barbarossa Pearl Harbour Reasons for victory |
| Term 6 | Why is Britain the way it is? | This topic covers post-war Britain and examining different factors and events that have changed Britain in the last 75 years. Topics covered are: Windrush/Immigration Feminism/Women’s rights Decriminalisation of homosexuality Unions/Miners Strikes |
Year 9
Year 9
| Topic | Learning Outcomes | |
| Term 1 | How did a civilised country commit the Holocaust? | This topic covers the causes and progression of anti-Semitism in Germany that led to the Holocaust. The main skill developed is causation and change over time. Topics covered are: Analysis of what anti-Semitism is. Study of anti-Semitic propaganda in Nazi Germany The escalation of anti-Semitism – Boycotts, Nuremberg laws, Kristallnacht, Ghettoes, the Final Solution. The blame for the Holocaust |
| Term 2 | What is the most useful sources to study why women got the vote in 1918? | This topic covers evolution of women’s rights at the turn of the 20th Century and the causes behind it. The main skill developed is analysing sources which will look at the causes and responses to change. Topics covered are: Position of women in the 1800s. Arguments for/against giving women. Campaign groups/events – Suffragettes and Suffragists. Why did they get the vote/Reflection of position of women in the 20th Century |
| Term 3 | How much did Pre-Colonial Civilisations change the world? | This topic covers different empires throughout world History. The main skill developed is significance – evaluating how much these empires changed their location and the world. Topics covered are: Malian Empire – Rise and Fall Tang Dynasty – Rise and Fall Mughal Empire – Rise and Fall |
| Term 4 | Why did the boom happen, and who benefitted? | This topic covers the start of the USA 1920-73 topic, examining the economic history of the period. The main skill developed is analysis and consequence. Topics covered are: The background of what was the boom The causes of the boom The experiences of people in the boom. Examination of the limitations of the boom – who didn’t benefit. |
| Term 5 | Is the Interpretation of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ correct? | This topic continues examining the USA 1920-73 topic, exploring popular culture and the role of women in the period. The main skill developed is evaluating interpretations of the period. Topics covered are: Change in Morals in the 1920s Popular culture in the 1920s – Sport, Jazz music, Radio, Movies. Change in the role and status of women in the 1920s – flappers, the vote etc. |
| Term 6 | In what ways did the lives of different groups of Americans change in the 1920s? | This topic continues examining the USA 1920-73 topic, exploring aspects of the 1920s that do not represent the ‘Golden Age’ stereotype. The main skill developed is analysis and causation. Topics covered are: The background of intolerance and stereotypes – the melting pot of the USA The Red Scare of Communism in the 1920s Role and status of African-Americans in the 1920s – KKK, segregation. Prohibition – the causes, events and revoke. |
Years 10 & 11
Year 10
| Topic | Learning Outcomes |
Term 1 | Who were the main losers of the Depression from 1929-33 and did the New Deal solve it?
| This topic continues examining the USA 1920-73 topic, exploring aspects of the depression and the responses to it. The main skill developed is evaluation and essay writing skills. Topics covered are:
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Term 2 | What was the extent of change in the USA during and after WW2?
| This topic continues examining the USA 1920-73 topic, exploring aspects of American life during and after WW2. The main skill developed is analysis and causation. Topics covered are:
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Term 3 | Who won the Korean war?
| This topic starts examining the Conflict and Tension in Asia topic, exploring the causes, the course, and the consequences of the Korean War. The main skill developed is analysing usefulness of sources and analysis of consequence. Topics covered are:
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Term 4 | Why did the USA get dragged into a war in Vietnam and how did they get out? | This topic continues examining the Conflict and Tension in Asia topic, exploring the causes of the USA’s increasing involvement in Vietnam from 1945 onwards, and steps taken to get out from 1969. The main skill developed is inferring from cartoon sources, and essay writing skills. Topics covered are:
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Term 5 | How far did Restoration Society change?
| This topic introduces the Restoration Britain 1660-85 topic, exploring the background up until 1660, and then aspects of society throughout the period. The main skill developed is analysis of cause and consequence. Topics covered are:
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Term 6 | Why did the relationship between Charles II and parliament break down by 1685?
| This topic continues investigating the Restoration Britain 1660-85 topic, exploring the politics of the period, as especially the relationship between king and parliament. The main skill developed is analysis of cause and consequence. Topics covered are:
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Year 11
| Topic | Learning Outcomes |
Term 1 | Why did the relationship between Charles II and parliament break down by 1685? | This topic continues investigating the Restoration Britain 1660-85 topic, exploring the politics of the period, as especially the relationship between king and parliament. The main skill developed is analysis of cause and consequence. Topics covered are:
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Term 2 | What was England’s position in the world in terms of land, war and trade | This topic continues investigating the Restoration Britain 1660-85 topic, exploring the land, war and trade aspects of the unit. The main skill developed is evaluating interpretations and essay writing skills. Topics covered are:
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Term 3 | How did rights and power change in medieval and Early Modern England? | This topic begins exploring the Power and the People c1100 – c2000 topic, examining early events in the period. The main skill developed is evaluating usefulness of sources and significance. Topics covered are:
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Term 4 | How did the power of the people change in the 19th Century? | This topic begins exploring the Power and the People c1100 – c2000 topic, examining events in 19th century. The main skill developed is evaluating similarities and differences. Topics covered are:
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Term 5 | How did the power of the people change in the 20th century? | This topic begins exploring the Power and the People c1100 – c2000 topic, examining events in 20th century. The main skill developed is essay writing skills. Topics covered are:
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Term 6 | N/A | N/A |
Post 16 at WG6
The History Department at WG6 has a long tradition of getting above average value added scores at A-level and is one of the most chosen subjects in the school. Although students are guided and tracked in the subject, they are encouraged to learn in a variety of ways with independent research in a more university seminar style, with the ultimate aim of becoming historians.
Year 12
| Topic | Learning Outcomes | |
| Term 1 | Component 1: Henry VII’s consolidation of power and Henry VII’s government Component 2: The difficult birth of the Weimar Republic | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 2 | Component 1: Henry VII’s Foreign Policy and Society Component 2: The development of the Weimar Republic from 1924-29 | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 3 | Component 1: Henry VIII’s government, the role of minsters and the Reformation Component 2: The impact of depression and collapse of the Weimar Republic | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 4 | Component 1: Henry VIII’s foreign policy Component 2: The rise of Hitler and the Nazis and their consolidation of power | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 5 | Component 1: Henry VIII’s society and extent of change in religion Component 3: Introduction to the NEA | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 6 | Component 1: Edward VI’s government and rebellions Component 3: Development of the NEA | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
Year 13
| Topic | Learning Outcomes | |
| Term 1 | Component 1: Edward VI’s change in religion and economy Component 2: Nazi Politics and Terror 1933-39 | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 2 | Component 1: Mary I’s government, foreign policy, and change in religion Component 2: Nazi Society 1933-39 | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 3 | Component 1: Elizabeth I’s consolidation of power and government Component 2: The development of Anti-Semitism in Germany 1933-39 | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 4 | Component 1: Elizabeth I’s Foreign Policy Component 2: Germany during WW2 | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 5 | Component 1: Elizabeth I’s society and changes in religion Component 2: The Racial state and Final Solution during WW2 | Each term KS5 students’ skills are developed based on four main elements of the AQA A-Level course, knowledge and understanding, the ability to construct and argue a point in essay form, the faculty to evaluate the value of sources, and the aptitude to critically evaluate an interpretation based on prior understanding. These skills are interwoven into lessons that cover the broad range of topics covered. |
| Term 6 | N/A | N/A |
Related Careers
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