History

History encourages an interest and enthusiasm for the past by providing both a narrative and evidence based approach.  Pupils have the opportunity to develop an understanding of historical events as well as a working knowledge of historical skills.  We equip pupils with the skills of the historian:  the ability to look at evidence from the past and to make conclusions about it, bearing in mind such things as bias, opinion and exaggeration.

The course begins with a simple introduction to such ideas so that pupils can be aware of the possible approaches of discovering the past by using a variety of analytical skills.  The concept of chronology, cause and effect, and continuity and change are some of the ideas taught to achieve an understanding of how our society has evolved.

In Key Stage 3 pupils will study units relating to The Roman Empire, Medieval Realms c1066-c1500, The Making of the U.K., Britain 1700-1900, The Black Peoples of America and The 20^th Century World. Each of these units is designed to cover the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of the area under study, and provides, in accordance with the Attainment Targets of the National Curriculum, the knowledge and understanding of History, the ability to acquire and evaluate historical information and the ability to organise and communicate the results of historical study.  Emphasis is placed on fieldwork which is undertaken in each school year.

In Years 10 and 11 pupils study History in at least two different ways, thematically and in depth.  The two thematic studies are Agricultural Change c1700-c1870 and Industrial Change c1740-1870.  The two in-depth studies are Parliamentary Enclosures and its Effects c1790-1830 and Factory Conditions and Reform c1800-c1830.  Pupils are also required to produce two pieces of coursework.  In Key Stage 4, History is assessed both by examination and coursework.