History
Through the study of history pupils develop an understanding of the significance of the past and how historical events can both impact and be applied to the present.
Through a balanced study of History, we also aim to touch on the full range of human experience and develop in pupils a sense of moral and civic awareness. Consideration of gender, ethnic, cultural and geographical diversity is critical to historical narrative, political debate, empathy and historical imagination. We also want to give our pupils a life long love of History by delivering engaging and interesting lessons that challenges them to look at the world from a number of different perspectives.
Key Stage 3
Pupils in Year 7 and in Year 8 have 2 lessons of history per week. They will gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider work. The lessons will equip the pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement.
The National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 in England requires students to cover British history from 1066 to present, as well as a world study, a local study and a chronological unit of study that will reach back before 1066 to consolidate knowledge and understanding.
The Aims of studying history include:
- Know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world; the nature of ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires; characteristic features of past non-European societies;
- Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance, and use them to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically-valid questions and create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses
- Understand the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims, and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed
- Gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history; and between short-term and long-term timescales.
Year 7
Autumn 1: Roman Empire
- What is history?
- Chronology
- How civilised were the Romans?
- Roman cities
- Roman army
- Gladiators
- The republic
- Empire collapse
- Legacy of Roman Empire
Autumn 2: Anglo-Saxons
- Vikings
- Godwin
- Claimants to the throne
- Defeating the Vikings
- Battle of Stamford Bridge
- Battle of Hastings (1066)
- How did Harold die?
- Bayeux Tapestry
Spring 1: Normans
- William the Conquerer
- Impact of the Normans on England
- Feudal System
- Castles
- Domesday Book
- Language
- Women
Spring 2: Medieval England
- King or Pope
- Excommunication
- Thomas Becket
- Black Death
- Peasants revolt
- King John and the Magna Carta
- Women in power
Summer 1: Tudors
- 1485-1603
- War of Roses
- Henry VIII
- Break with Rome
- Edward VI
- Mary I
- Elizabeth I
- Spanish Armada
- Golden Age
Summer 2: English Civil War
- Charles I
- Parliament
- Causes
- Who fought
- Life during the civil war
- Did Charles deserve to be executed?
- The Great Fire of London
Local History
- Battle of Barnet
Year 8
Autumn 1: African Kingdoms
- Different kingdoms
- Timbuktu
- How powerful were African Kingdoms
- Islam in Africa
- Slavery in Africa
- First European contact
Migration to the UK
- Why do people leave home?
- How were West Indians treated?
- How were Asian migrants treated?
Autumn 2: British Empire
- Good/Bad
- Importance
- Country case studies
- Impact on UK
- Impact on world
- Link to slavery
Black History
- Slavery
- Africa before Slavery
- Middle Passage
- Slave auction
- Plantations
- Abolition of slavery UK/USA
Spring 1: Holocaust
- Match up with Holocaust memorial day
India
- British Empire in India
- Black Hole of Calcutta
- India Mutiny
- 20th Century India
- Amritsar
- Gandhi
- Indian revolution
Spring 2: World War 1
- Causes
- Propaganda
- Trenches
- Battle of the Somme
- Empire support
- Armistice
- Treaty of Versailles
- Saracens WW1
Local History
- Battle of Barnet
- RAF Museum
- Barnet Church / Well
Summer 1: 20th Century USA
- Jim Crow
- KKK
- Black Civil Rights
- Rosa Parks
- Malcom X
- Black Panthers
- Martin Luther King
Make links to migration unit
Summer 2: 20th Century South Africa
- Mandela
- Apartheid
- Robin Island
- Segregation
- Impact of sport/ commonwealth
Local History
Enrichment Opportunities
- Trip to the RAF Museum to look at local history, as part of Our History month
- Trip to the Egyptian Cultural Centre
- Our History migration project
- Castles project
