St Adhelm's Academy

History

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

  George Santayana

Introduction

At St Aldhelm's Academy, we believe that History plays a crucial role in helping students understand the world around them. By studying past events, people, and societies, students develop a deeper understanding of the present and can better appreciate the complexities of our world. Our goal is to inspire curiosity about the past while equipping students with the skills to think critically, analyze sources, and form well-reasoned opinions. Through the study of History, students learn how to communicate effectively, solve problems, and engage with global issues.

Key Stage 3 

In Key Stage 3 (KS3), students are introduced to a wide range of historical periods and themes, from ancient civilizations to more modern events. Our curriculum aims to spark curiosity and encourage students to ask perceptive questions, analyse historical evidence, and draw connections between past and present. Pupils study key topics such as the Norman Conquest, the Tudors and Stuarts, the Industrial Revolution, and the World Wars.

Areas of study in Key Stage 3 History are;

Year 7:

  • What makes a GREAT HISTORIAN? (Skills introduction)
  • Why did William win the Battle of Hastings? (Causation)
  • How did the Normans change England? (Change & Continuity)
  • How well did medieval England cope with a crisis? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • Was Jerusalem worth dying for? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • How historically significant is our local community? (Local study & Significance)

Year 8:

  • Did Henry VIII break away from Rome because of love? (Causation)
  • Why did England execute their king? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • Did the Industrial Revolution result in prosperity and progress for everyone? (Change & Continuity)
  • Does William Wilberforce deserve all of the credit for the abolition of slavery? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • Should we be proud or ashamed of Britain’s impact on the world? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • How have migrants helped shape Britain since c.1250? (Significance)

Year 9: 

  • Why did the world go to war in 1914? (Causation)
  • Was the world at peace between the wars? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • What was the most significant turning point of World War Two? (Significance)
  • Why should we remember the Holocaust? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • How do you win a Cold War? (Evidence & Interpretation)
  • How far have the Civil Rights come since 1945? (Change & Continuity)

Key Stage 4

At GCSE, we have chosen Edexcel 9-1 as this board offers a clear and coherent GCSE that has been designed to build upon skills and knowledge developed in Key Stage 3. Students will be taught lessons in a similar style to previous years but with the added focus on exam technique, assessment and feedback.

Areas of study in Key Stage 4 History are;

  • Paper 1 (Thematic and Historic Environment Study) - Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000–Present and Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: Crime, Policing and the Inner City.
  • Paper 2 (British depth study and Period study) - Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 and The American West, c1835–c1895.
  • Paper 3 (Depth Study) - Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39.

Students will begin their GCSE by studying the Crime and Punishment unit as this lead on nicely from their work in in KS3. Each of the units will be taught through a mixture of chronological narrative and thematically depending on the nature of the content and exam foci.

At GCSE, students will be expected to complete home learning on a weekly basis. This will be completed using GCSE Pod, an online platform, which allows students to embed and extend their developing knowledge through the watching of short video clips and completion of quiz questions. This invaluable tool is engaging and allows for the interleaving of key knowledge throughout the course.

Another big difference to the study of History at KS4 is the expectation for students to regularly attend revision sessions as a means of support. These should be attended alongside the completion of independent revision as exams approach.

For more information from the exam board please use the following link:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html