History

Intent

History is a story with the most interesting characters, plot lines, the greatest thinkers, most charitable and selfless individuals, and the most risible, violent individuals. It’s a tapestry of humanity’s history, richly detailed, skilfully woven, and worthy of our attention whether it inspires or terrifies us.

Our History curriculum gives us the opportunity to learn how societies functioned, how people interacted with each other, how governments were run, and investigate the cultures of countries which we have never been to. Through our understanding of people, places and events in History we can grasp a better understanding of how our world functions today. At Abbot Beyne we follow curriculum which promotes a History of all; for all.

  • Students will be able to develop the skills needed to be successful in History such as; using chronology, developing skills to be able to analyse information and find the truth behind what has been portrayed. History develops the skills of critically reading and analysing pieces of information which benefits all other subjects.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different periods of History ranging from the ancient Romans to life in the 20th Century.
  • Students will have the ability to construct well-argued, well informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject.
  • Students will investigate events on a local, national and international scale and will deepen their understanding of how different events are connected.
  • Students will gain historical perspective by placing their knowledge into cultural, social, economic, political and religious history; and between short and long term timescales.
  • Students will investigate the development of Church, state and society and be able to answer where power really lay.

Year 7

History is taught through the Onward Together Programme. Students study History in the Spring Term of Year 7

Unit 1 How do we study the past?

  • Students develop the skills needed to be successful in History through a study of the Romans in Britain

Unit 2 Did the Normans ‘bring a truckload of trouble?’

  • This unit encourages students to investigate the lasting impact of the Norman Invasion; it explains the significance of the changes to the law, society, taxes, the church and rule.

Year 8

Unit 1 How powerful were mediaeval monarchs?

  • To know that the Middle Ages was a turbulent time for rulers. To compare the power of various rulers in England to Ghanian and Malian rulers. To begin to make developed judgements about who had the power.

Unit 2 Where did power lie in Early Modern England?

  • To compare the power of the church with the power of the monarchy in Early Modern England.

Unit 3 Who had the power in Stuart England?

  • To explain how the conflict between crown and parliament led to a civil war and the impact that this had on society.

Unit 4 How powerful were the Mughals?

  • To explain the power of the Great Mughals and compare their power and influence with the Tudor and Stuart monarchies.

Unit 5 How did Britain change during the Industrial Revolution?

  • To investigate the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and the lasting impact that it had on Britain.

Unit 6 Dying for the vote?

  • To explain how Britain’s political system changed and the lengths that different groups in society went to enable them to get power in Britain.

Year 9

Unit 1 How did Britain get an empire?

  • To explain the first encounters with the colonies and the short and long term impact that Britain had on India and different countries in Africa.

Unit 2 Was World War I a total war?

  • To explain the causes and consequences of the First World War and the key events.

Unit 3 How did the Nazis get into power?

  • To explain the key events of 1930s Germany and how this led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party. To explain what life was like in Germany for the Jews and the non-Jews.

Unit 4 What happened in World War II?

  • To explain the key events of World War II and how this impacted on life at home and across the empire.

Unit 5 How was the Holocaust allowed to happen?

  • To explain the changing events in Nazi occupied Europe and the impact that this had on Jews and other groups in Europe.

Unit 6 How close to war did the world get during the Cold War?

  • To explain the main events of the Cold War.

Unit 7 What was the experience of being black in Britain, during the 20th century.

  • To explain some of the events of the Black Civil Rights Movement in the UK.

Years 10 & 11

At Key Stage four (Years 10 &11) assessments are set at the end of each of the 4 units taught. This is in addition to the regular teaching and setting of exam questions in lessons and for homework. This ensures that all students are fully prepared for the skills being tested in the GCSE exams. Additionally, students are tested weekly on the key terms, events and dates on their knowledge organisers. Students sit an exam in year 10 and two mock exams in year 11.

Sixth Form

At Key Stage five (Years 12 & 13) students are assessed regularly (about twice a half term) on the topic they have been covering.  These assessments are tightly linked to the A-Level assessment criteria and their final exams.  Year Twelve students complete a mock exam in the summer term and Year Thirteen have two sets of mock exams in order to prepare them for their final external exams. Students also submit a Non Examined Assessment which is a total of 20% of the final A’ level.

Extra curricular opportunities

Visits to Tutbury castle

Houses of Parliament

French and Belgian battlefields.

Who to contact if you want further information

Mrs K L Green

 

Subject videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcvEcrsF_9zI2dNGU9uUOWo9tenQi93UG

www.timelines.tv