Subject: History
Year group
Curriculum overview
7
All students will receive 2 hours of historical study in year 7. The topics covered
include the Greek empire, Roman invasion and occupation of the British Isles,
and a depth study of the Medieval period. Students will gain an understanding
of the key concepts in History, and will develop skills which will allow them to
make progress throughout their secondary History education.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Year%207.htm
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/year7links/
8
In Year 8, all students are able to access 2 hours of History a week. The history
course in year 8 is available to all pupils, with the expectation that options will
be chosen at the end of the year. Students will cover the age of reform and
revolution, with a focus on the houses of the Tudors and Stuarts, whilst
considering the impact of the Civil War in England and the French Revolution as
a worldwide event.
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/year8links/
9
In Year 9, if students have selected History as an option, they are timetabled 3
hours a week. The department teaches the OCR SHP History course from
Summer 2 term in Year 9. Prior to this, the department teaches in line with the
national curriculum. Topics covered in this year include the slave trade and
industrial revolution, followed by the National Curriculum unit ‘Hot war cold
war’ – whereby students develop an in depth knowledge of the World Wars
and the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. The ends with students developing
GCSE skills through a study of the Cold War.
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/year9links/
Assessment overview (internal and external)
Assessment takes the form of a range of skills based internal assessments
whereby students are tested on their abilities to use their interpretation,
causation, significance, diversity, chronological and evidence handling skills
through assessments on a range of topics. These include:
-What did the Romans do for the British?
-Why did the Roman Empire end?
- How important was the Norman invasion of England?
- What were the social consequences of the Black Death?
- What was the main cause of the peasants’ revolt?
Assessment takes the form of a range of skills based internal assessments
whereby students are tested on their abilities to use their interpretation,
causation, significance, diversity, chronological and evidence handling skills
through assessments on a range of topics. These include:
- Changes to the church – why did Henry create the Church of England?
- What was Elizabeth’s ‘middle way’?
- How significant was the defeat of the Spanish Armada?
- Why did the Gunpowder plot fail?
- What caused the English Civil War?
Assessment takes the form of a range of skills based internal assessments
whereby students are tested on their abilities to use their interpretation,
causation, significance, diversity, chronological and evidence handling skills
through assessments on a range of topics. The focus is to prepare students for
GCSE study, and so a range of GCSE style assessments are utilised, which
include:
- Why was the slave trade abolished?
- How significant was the Industrial revolution?
- Was Jack the Ripper a social reformer?
- What were the long and short term causes of World War One?
- Why did people vote for the Nazi Party?
- How did peace create war?
10
In Key Stage 4, Students study for the OCR SHP History GCSE, if learners achieve
a higher grade in this, it can count towards the English Baccalaureate. In years
10 and 11, students will study Medicine through time, a development study
which will include studies on the ancient civilisations – through to the present
day.
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/revision/medicine.shtml
11
In Key Stage 4, Students study for the OCR SHP History GCSE, if learners achieve
a higher grade in this, it can count towards the English Baccalaureate. Students
in year 11 will follow a programme of study which will include a depth study of
Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-1945 and History around us, a local study into
Birmingham’s Industrial History
http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/revision/germany.shtml
12
In Key Stage 5, AS History is an optional subject. Students selecting History in
these years will receive 4 hours of delivered lessons a week. Students study for
the OCR History B AS option. This includes a module on the political and social
effect of the Black Death upon British Society 1348-1400, and an in depth focus
on the French Revolution and Robespierre’s terror.
13
In Key Stage 5, A2 History is an optional subject. Students selecting History in
these years will receive 4 hours of delivered lessons a week. Students study for
the OCR History B AS2 option. This includes coursework where students identify
a ‘significant’ topic in history, and explain the impact. Previous topics have
included ‘Jack The Ripper’s impact on social conditions in London and the
importance of George Washington on the American War of Independence’.
Module 2 includes a study of imperialism, and the impact of the British Empire.
Regular in-class assessments are carried out whereby students are tested
through use of past GCSE style questions. Regular peer and teacher feedback
ensures students have an understanding of where they can make progress.
Skills utilised include the use of sources and the ability to use knowledge to
answer questions. Topics covered include:
- What was the Greek’s greatest contribution to medicine?
- Was Galen the Greatest doctor?
- Why did the theory of the four Humours last for so long?
- Did the church hinder medicine?
- How did public health help advance medicine?
- Was chance a key factor in the history of medicine?
The focus in year 11 is on the completion of external GCSE examinations.
Students will sit 2 papers in the summer term:
- 1x 2 hour paper covering Weimar and Nazi Germany and the history of
Medicine
- 1x 1 hour 30 minute paper based on sources on a specific topic
- Students will have also completed a 2000 word controlled assessment
over 8 hours which will be on a subject chosen each year. We are
currently looking at the working conditions at Quarry Bank Mill.
Students will sit 2x 2 hour papers covering the topics studied during this
academic year.
- 1xpaper focusing on the Black Death and the impact of the pestilence.
- 1x paper focussing on the French Revolution
Students will sit 1x 2 hour papers covering the exam topics studied during this
academic year.
- 1x paper on British Imperialism
Students will also submit a 3000 word controlled assessment and a 1000 word
learning diary based on a subject agreed with OCR exam board.