Understanding the past helps us to understand the present. History is fundamental in helping us empathise with people and understand events. History is also extremely useful for the skills it gives pupils in justifying arguments, using evidence and communicating ideas effectively.
History follows a chronological framework in key stage 3: we study the time period from the Romans up to the end of World War 2; we consider important events such as the Battle of Hastings, the murder of Thomas Becket, the Reformation, the English Civil War, the abolition of slavery, World War 1 and World War 2. We use primary and secondary source material to consider different interpretations of these events.
By the end of key stage 3 pupils should be equipped with an excellent overview of events and people that have shaped British and World History. History is an enjoyable subject which allows pupils to consider social, political, religious and economic issues from a range of perspectives.
If your child opts to study the subject for GCSE, and many do, they will follow AQA’s 8145RE and will delve into diverse topics from medieval to modern times. This includes 20th century America (1920-73), considering the Boom and the Depression, Roosevelt’s New Deal, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights and Minority rights. Complementing this is another 20th century unit, studying Conflict and Tension in the inter-war years (1919-45). We consider the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations and the causes of World War 2. We also complete a depth study of Norman England, including an historic environment topic and an overview of British History in Power and the People c.1170-present day, where we compare and contrast 16 key events in British History.
Studying history is invaluable for developing skills such as empathy, communication, analysis and evaluation. It is a well respected and highly enjoyable subject.
At A Level, we follow OCR’s H505 specification.
History Department
Ms N Ferry (curriculum leader)
Mr H Court
Ms S Hallett
Ms C Kelleher
Ms S Lakin
Mr S Stowe
Mr A Williams
Politics
In addition, we offer Politics for post sixteen pupils who would like to focus more specifically on the framework that governments operate under. We follow Edexcel’s 9PL0 specification.
The role and composition of politics is complex and challenging, but we all have an opinion and that is the beauty of it. We ought to understand how the political framework has created the society that exists today, including the complexities of a nation devised around a constitutional monarchy. Some of the frameworks we will explore include the followings: common law, royal prerogatives, conventions, statute law, and the legacy of parliamentary sovereignty.
Through the study of politics, pupils will follow a varied curriculum and explore a variety of aspects: UK parties and pressure groups, electoral systems to Parliament, the executive and the Supreme Court.
In Year 13, pupils will explore the correlations between the UK and US systems. This enables pupils to practise their ability to compare and contrast, reciting ideologies through the lenses of rational, cultural and structural theories.
Politics Department
Ms N Ferry (curriculum leader)
Mr H Court
Miss S Hallett
