History

Curriculum Intent

History at Alderbrook is taught by subject specialists whose areas of expertise cover a wide range of historical periods. We are committed to inspiring our students to take an active interest in the history of both Britain and the wider world during their time at Alderbrook, and on into the future.

The modern workplace increasingly demands the skills of the historian: the ability to understand change, to communicate effectively and to make judgements after assessing all the available information.

The Which Subject, Which Career? report comments,

historians are regarded as having had an education that trains their minds to assemble, organise and present facts and opinions … history is an excellent preparation for very many other jobs

History gives us an understanding of the present and another point of view from which to consider our own lives. The examples of the past can both inspire us and warn us in our lives today.

History helps us to boost confidence in our own judgement. It helps us to develop and then defend our own opinions.

Curriculum Implementation

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 students are placed in mixed ability groups. Students cover a range of historical periods that equip them for success in the skills required for their GCSEs. Year 7 and 8 follow a chronological study of British and world history.

Year 7
  • Autumn Term 1: Introduction to History / Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?
  • Autumn Term 2: How did William Control England? / Why was the Church so important in Medieval England?
  • Spring Term 1: Medieval England: The death of Thomas Becket / King John and the Magna Carta
  • Spring Term 2: The role of Tudor monarchs
  • Summer Term 1: How did the Industrial Revolution impact on Britain?
  • Summer Term 2: The Romans in Britain
Year 8
  • Autumn Term 1: Slavery to Civil Rights. How far did the life of black people change in the 19th and 20th century?
  • Autumn Term 2: The causes of World War One
  • Spring Term 1: Life in the trenches during World War One
  • Spring Term 2: Life in Britain during World War One and the peace settlement
  • Summer Term 1: The Suffragettes and Votes for Women
  • Summer Term 2: Battles of World War Two

 

Key Stage 4

Exam Board: AQA

At Key Stage 4 History groups are mixed ability.

 
GCSE –Year 9
  • Autumn Term 1: Students learn about the impact of World War One on various nations around the world. This embeds learning from year 8 and develops key GCSE skills and knowledge in preparation for the remainder of the course.
  • Autumn Term 2: Conflict and Tension, 1918 – 1939: Students explore the changing international relations from 1918 to the outbreak of war in 1939 (half of content).
  • Spring Term 1: Conflict and Tension, 1918 – 1939: Students continue to explore the changing international relations from 1918 to the outbreak of war in 1939 (half of content).
  • Spring Term 2: America, 1920 – 1973: Opportunity and inequality – How far did the US economy boom in the 1920s? / How far did US society change in the 1920s? What were the causes and consequences of the Wall Street Crash?
  • Summer Term 1 : America, 1920 – 1973: Opportunity and inequality –How successful was the New Deal?
  • Summer Term 2: America, 1920 – 1973: Opportunity and inequality – How did life improve for different groups in post war American society? African Americans and Women.

 

Year 10
  • Autumn Term 1 and 2: America, 1920 – 1973: Opportunity and inequality – How did life improve for different groups in Post war American Society? African Americans and Women.
  • Spring Term 1 and 2:  Britain Health and the People:  From the superstitions of Medieval England to the wonders of modern medicine. Students explore how medicine changed, and what factors and individuals made this possible.
  • Summer Term 1 and 2: Britain Health and the People continued:  From the superstitions of Medieval England to the wonders of modern medicine. Students continue to explore how medicine changed, and what factors and individuals made this possible.

 

Year 11
  • Autumn Term 1: Elizabethan England: 1568 – 1603: Elizabeth’s court and parliament.
  • Autumn Term 2: Elizabethan England: 1568 – 1603: Life in Elizabethan times
  • Spring Term 1: Elizabethan England: 1568 – 1603: Elizabethan foreign policy.
  • Spring Term 2: Exam preparation / Revision
  • Summer Term 1: Exam preparation / Revision

 

Key Stage 5

Exam Board: AQA
Why A level History?

History is an exciting and academic discipline that nurtures curiosity, hones our thinking and promotes the development of important skills. Studying A level History provides an environment to communicate and wrestle with historical controversy. While exploring the nature and complexity of history as something beyond that of ‘the past’, we are able to understand and appreciate the world in which we live, where we have come from, and where we may go.

 

What will you study?

Alderbrook School Sixth Form Students explore a range of perspectives such as social, religious, political and cultural in both the Tudor and Cold War period. Students have the opportunity to investigate independent lines of enquiry, explore the process of change over time and assess the significance of particular individuals and events in the past as part of an extended piece of coursework.

 

University degrees that require or often prefer History include:

History, joint honours degrees with other related subjects e.g. Archaeology, Politics, Classics, English Literature, Economics, Media, Journalism, Travel and Tourism, Law, Psychology and Sociology.

 

Entry requirements:

Minimum grade 6 in GCSE History or, if not studied before, a grade 6 in GCSE English Language.

 

Nescire autem quid antequam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum.

To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child.’  

Marcus Tullius Cicero

 

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

In recent years, there has been dramatic change to the subject knowledge taught at GCSE. As such, the History Department strives to ensure that extra-curricular opportunities enrich the subject matter learnt in the classroom.

We highly value local history. As such we run a trip to the Black Country Museum. This fantastic open air museum provides an excellent opportunity for thinking and reflection about our local history and the impact this has had on the wider world.

 

Skills for Success and Career Opportunities

History is a highly academic GCSE that requires a high level of literacy coupled with key critical thinking skills. As such it is applicable to a wide range of professions. History acts as a great platform for careers in Politics, the Civil Service, Law, the Media and Education amongst many others.

At Alderbrook School, the History Department prides itself on developing a number of skills for success. These are as follows:

Reflectiveness through developing a greater sensitivity of global concerns which is mapped across the entire curriculum.

Respect of others such as a respect of other peoples’ cultures, religion and value system as well as the consequences of intolerance e.g. Slavery, Holocaust and Suffragettes.

Critical Thinking through making historical judgements about key historical debates. For example the quality of leadership of world leaders.

Analysing facts, data and situations through historical analysis. This can include evaluating the reasons why individuals hold different historical interpretations and the usefulness of this.

 

Contact the Head of Department

For further information, please contact the Curriculum Development Leader for History Mr J. Harrison