Curriculum Intent
History aims to inspire students to take an active interest in the history of both Britain and the wider world during their time at Alderbrook School, and on into the future. In exploring the human experience across time and place, history students at Alderbrook School develop an appreciation of the challenges experienced in the past. Students also understand how well we navigate these issues in the present. History at Alderbrook School engages students with a diverse and broad curriculum that equips them with a local, national and global perspective.
History helps us to boost confidence in our own judgement. It helps us to develop and then defend our own opinions. Students at Alderbrook School will learn complex historical concepts such as significance and change. History at Alderbrook School develops student’s ability to formulate clear and coherent arguments, in order to equip them with the skills and confidence they need to be the best they can be in a culturally diverse modern world.
Curriculum Implementation
At Key Stage 3 students cover a range of historical periods that equip them for success in the skills required for their GCSEs. Year 7, 8 and 9 follow a chronological study of British and world history.
Year 7
- Autumn Term 1: Introduction to History / How did the Norman Conquest change Britain? Student’s first experience of history at Alderbrook School explores how the Norman Conquest changed Britain.
- Autumn Term 2: Why was the Church so important in Medieval England? Students develop their understanding of the role of religion in forming English society in the Middle Ages.
- Spring Term 1: Medieval England: The death of Thomas Becket, King John and the Magna Carta. An appreciation of the power that was shared between the Church and State is developed in this academic term.
- Spring Term 2: The role of Tudor monarchs and the development of religion and society at this time. The key social, political and religious changes under the Tudor monarchs are explored in this unit.
- Summer Term 1: How did the Industrial Revolution impact Birmingham? Student’s understanding of local history is developed through analysing the changes caused by the industrial revolution in Birmingham.
- Summer Term 2: How did the Romans impact Britain? (independent project). Students complete a presentation project. This is in order to understand the various parts of British society that were changed and the significance of these.
Year 8
- Autumn Term 1: The Transatlantic Slave Trade: The experience of African people in the different stages of the slave trade is developed in this unit.
- Autumn Term 2: The impact of the British Empire on nations around the world. Various countries around the world were permanently changed due to the British Empire. This unit explores the changes and significance of these.
- Spring Term 1: The causes of World War One: this unit develops student understanding of the long and short term causes of this hugely significant conflict.
- Spring Term 2: The impact of World War One on Britain, the Empire and Germany. Students explore the impact of conflict on people’s lives at home and abroad.
- Summer Term 1: The impact of World War One on Britain, the Empire and Germany. Students continue to explore the impact of conflict on people’s lives at home and abroad.
- Summer Term 2: The Suffragettes and votes for women: students develop their understanding of the various factors that caused women to become enfranchised.
Year 9
- Autumn Term 1: 20th Century Russia and its rulers 1900 – 1939: Students explore the changing leadership of early 20th century Russia and Russian people’s experience of this.
- Autumn Term 2: The rise of Hitler in Weimar Germany: Students explore the impact of World War One on Germany in the 1920s and the seeds of Hitler’s rule of Germany.
- Spring Term 1: Life in Nazi Germany: Students develop interpretation skills through examining the different experiences of social groups in Nazi Germany.
- Spring Term 2: The Holocaust: Students learn about the atrocities experienced by Jewish people in the 1930s and the holocaust.
- Summer Term 1: African American Civil Rights: Students learn about the changes experienced in the civil rights and what caused this change.
- Summer Term 2: Life in Britain after World War Two: Students explore the changing experiences for ethnic minorities and the youth in the latter part of 20th century Britain.
GCSE –Year 10
- Autumn Term 1 and 2: America, 1920 – 1973: Opportunity and Inequality – Students learn how the economy boomed in the 1920s and the impact this had on American society. Students then explore the consequences of the Wall Street Crash and how successfully the New Deal dealt with these problems. Students also develop their understanding of the major changes that took place in post-World War two USA.
- Spring Term 1 and 2: Conflict and Tension, 1918 – 1939: Students explore the changing international relations from 1918 to the outbreak of war in 1939. Students learn the role of appeasement, Hitler’s foreign policy and the Treaty of Versailles in the outbreak of World War Two.
- Summer 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.
GCSE –Year 11
- Autumn Term 1: Elizabethan England: 1568 – 1603: Elizabeth’s court and parliament. The study of this unit focuses on major events of Elizabeth I’s reign. These are considered from a political standpoint. The extent of Elizabeth’s power is explored by students.
- Autumn Term 2: Elizabethan England: 1568 – 1603: Life in Elizabethan times. This section of the course develops students understanding of the economic, social and cultural developments in Tudor society.
- Spring Term 1: Elizabethan England: 1568 – 1603: Elizabethan foreign policy. The controversial decisions made by Elizabeth, and the ramifications of these, are analysed in this unit. Students also complete a site study in this term.
- 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
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.
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
