History

“History moves with the times”

Aims of the department

• To engender enthusiasm for and interest in the past.
• To contribute to the individual learner’s sense of identity and their place in the school, wider local community, nation and world through topics studied and also awareness of the school’s history.
• To contribute to the individual learner’s sense of where they are placed in a time continuum through study of change and development.
• To contribute to the awareness that every individual matters and has an impact which he/she can control to some extent.
• To contribute to an awareness of the cultural diversity of Britain and the role of cultures in shaping people’s ideas, values and beliefs.
• To contribute to skills of communication, evaluation and critical thinking.

Students on a visit to Krakow, Poland, Easter 2006

Lower School or KS3

Learners are assessed on work throughout the year as well as in an end of Year examination.

Upper School or KS4

Examination course details and assessment: AQA History B (3042), Modern World History. Learners study International Relations 1900-1949, Britain and the First World War, and two of USA, Russia/USSR and Germany in the 1920s and 1930s.

Coursework on Britain in the Second World War and on American Civil Rights after 1945 accounts for 25% of the marks, and there are two 1 hour 45 minute examinations at the end of the course testing candidates’ knowledge, understanding and skills.

Sixth Form or Post 16

Examination course details and assessment: OCR History (7835) AS Modules are: Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 (Document Study), one hour examination, 40% of marks, and England 1629-1649 and Russia 1894-1917 (Period Studies) 45 minute examination, 30% of marks for each.

A2 Modules are: Historical Investigation on Lenin and the Establishment of Bolshevik Power 1903-1924, one hour 30 minute examination 30% of marks, Themes in History on the Development of Limited Monarchy in England 1558-1689, one hour 30 minute examination 40% of marks and Independent Investigation (Coursework) 2300-3000 word essay worth 30% of marks.

Career Opportunities

The skills learned in History lead naturally to a number of careers in areas such as journalism, the law, the heritage industry and archives and libraries. Besides this the skills can also be applied to a range of other professions requiring a clear analytical mind and the ability to present a convincing argument with appropriate supporting evidence.

Additional Information

At Easter 2006 the department organised a joint History/RE trip to Poland in conjunction with a partner school in Upper Silesia. Students visited Krakow (see photograph), Auschwitz and Jasna Gora as well as contributing to English lessons and international relations with students from our partner school.

Key Stage 3 learners focus on ‘the Big Picture’ in History in a project initiated by tutors at Trinity All Saints College, Horsforth.

Internet links

www.schoolhistory.co.uk
www.schoolshistory.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history
www.spartacus.co.uk