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HISTORY

Curriculum Lead

Miss A Cummins - Curriculum Lead History, Politics, Sociology

Curriculum Principles & Intent

The intent of the History curriculum at Key Stage 3 is to develop and extend the students knowledge and understanding of key events and periods. Topics are informed by the national curriculum meaning students will examine local and British history, as well as world wide history. This will allow students to understand how our world has been shaped and the impact this has on the society they live in, whilst at the same time stimulating their curiosity to know more.

Students will experience debates, independent research and discussion to encourage the development of their critical thinking skills through listening and considering the arguments of others. History at Key Stage 3 develops students skills of analysis, argument and extended writing as they examine sources and interpretations to build on their understanding of the past. Students are encouraged to ask questions, weigh evidence and develop judgements to understand the complexity of the world we live in.

History as a subject inspires students to contemplate on their own morals and test them against real life situations. The study of History encourages responsible behaviour as an individual, community or nation.

GCSE Specifications

GCSE History

Exam Board: Pearson 1HIO 

Mode of Assessment:
Paper 1: Option 11 Medicine in Britain
Paper 2: Option B4 Early Elizabethan England and Option P4 Superpower Relations and the Cold War
Paper 3: Option 31 Weimar and Nazi Germany

Year 10 Medicine in Britain and The British sector of the Western Front
30%
16 marks for historic environment, 36 for the thematic study
 
  • Medicine in Medieval England
  • The Medical Renaissance in England
  • Medicine in eighteenth and nineteenth century Britain
  • Medicine in modern Britain
  • The British sector of the Western Front: injuries, treatment and the trenches
Year 10

Early Elizabethan England,     1558-88
20%
  • Queen, government and religion
  • Challenges to Elizabeth at home and abroad
  • Elizabethan society in the Age of Exploration
Year11 Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91
20%
  • The origins of the Cold War
  • Cold War crises
  • The end of the Cold War
Year 11 Weimar and Nazi Germany,   1918-39
30%
  • The Weimar Republic
  • Hitler’s rise to power
  • Nazi control and dictatorship
  • Life in Nazi Germany

A Level Specifications

A Level History

Exam Board: Pearson 9HIO

Aim of Course:
The aims and objectives of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in History are to enable students to: 

  • develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and an understanding of its intrinsic value and significance 
  • acquire an understanding of different identities within society and an appreciation of aspects such as social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity, as appropriate 
  • build on their understanding of the past through experiencing a broad and balanced course of study 
  • improve as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds 
  • develop the ability to ask relevant and significant questions about the past and to research them 
  • acquire an understanding of the nature of historical study, for example that history is concerned with judgements based on available evidence and that historical judgements are provisional 
  • develop their use and understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills 
  • make links and draw comparisons within and/or across different periods and aspects of the past; and 
  • organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways, arguing a case and reaching substantiated judgements.

Mode of Assessment:
Route G Paper 1: Germany and West Germany 1918-89
Route G Paper 2: Rise and fall of Fascism in Italy 1911-46
Option 31: Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors 1486-1603

Year 12 Germany and West Germany, 1918-89
30%
2 essays and 1 interpretation question
  • Political and governmental change
  • Opposition, control and consent
  • Economic development and policies
  • Aspects of life in Germany and West Germany
  • How far was Hitler’s foreign policy responsible for the Second World War?
Year 12 The rise and fall of fascism in Italy, 1911-46
20%
1 essay and 1 source question
  • The liberal state, 1911-18
  • The rise of Mussolini and the creation of a fascist dictatorship
  • The fascist state
  • Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state
Year 13 Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors
30%
2 essays and 1 source question
  • Changes in governance at the centre
  • Gaining the cooperation of the localities
  • Challenging the succession, 1485-1499
  • Challenging religious changes, 1533-37
  • Kett’s rebellion 1549
  • The revolt of the northern earls, 1569-70
  • Tyrone’s rebellion, 1594-1603
Year 13 Coursework 
20%   4,000 words
  • Coursework to enable skills in analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history in a chosen question.

Useful Links

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Career Paths

History is a subject that works well in combination with many other subjects and opens up endless career paths. Many students who study History go on to have a wide range of careers. Learning from the past can benefit your future and lead to a whole host of exciting career options including: journalism, law, business, politics, archaeology, marketing and teaching.

  1. History SOL

  2. Wider Reading List - History

Get in touch

Miss Sam Rogers, School Business Manager

Longlands
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP2 4DE

(To request a paper copy, please contact our Administration Department on the contact details below)

(01442) 406020

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