Our curriculum aims to ignite a passion for History by studying thought-provoking and significant events of the past that enable us to gain a greater understanding of the world around us, develop students’ political consciousness and a sense of their own historical identity. History is the development of critical and enquiring minds that are able to understand different perspectives and challenge the thinking of others.
Students work across both key stages to build a body of knowledge, learning specific and precise details of evidence, so they can piece together their own interpretations of the past. This knowledge builds towards developing a wider understanding of key themes, such as the story of ordinary lives, the influence of religion and how power has shifted from monarchy to the rise of democracy and civil rights.
Alongside the acquisition of knowledge, students will think and work like historians to build towards mastery. Enquiry questions drive the learning as students question, hypothesise, weigh and evaluate the evidence to help them come to a well-considered conclusion. They will know that, as historians, there are different judgements that we can draw from the past, even if we are using the same evidence. Our historians work within a chronological framework, so that they are able to hypothesise by drawing upon their existing knowledge. It is our aim to make them confident in evaluating and critically reading sources, considering their use in the context of their audience and purpose. They will recognise how and why historians form certain interpretations about the past. In addition, they will be able to articulate and write their own historical thinking with clarity and precision.
The KS3 curriculum follows a three-year course set within a chronological framework. Big enquiry questions drive the learning and are underpinned by the second-order historical concepts to allow our students to think and work like historians.
Our year 7 curriculum begins with an investigation into students’ own history through a local study of the development of Leigh Park, as well as the opportunity for students to conduct their own research into their own families or local points of interest. We then journey through pre-20th century history, exploring the Medieval, Early Modern and Industrial periods. Some of the enquiry questions we use to explore the history of these periods include ‘Does Mary I deserve her nickname of ‘Bloody Mary’?’ and ‘How should we remember the British Empire?’
Years 8 and 9 continue in a chronological approach and largely focuses on the study of the 20th century. We study a range of historical figures and events, including the Suffragette movement and civil rights in the USA. Enquiry questions that drive the learning include challenging questions such as ‘Was it really the assassination of one man that caused the First World War?’ and ‘Was the Holocaust inevitable?’
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum begins in year 10. As well as selecting topics that are interesting and engaging, we believe these histories are important in understanding significant changes which have helped to shape the world around us.
The following units are studied under the Edexcel GCSE board:
Students leave GCSE History having gained a deeper understanding into British and world history, increasing their cultural capital. Further to this, their opportunity to explore the significant events and people that have shaped our historical identity and the world around us today, will help students to understand current affairs and be more politically engaged.
Students develop critical thinking and evaluative skills that will equip them necessary life skills. Those that choose to take History at GCSE will also gain a qualification to reflect their achievement and progress.