History
History Curriculum Overview
Our History curriculum develops students' understanding of the people, events and ideas that have shaped Britain and the wider world. Through the study of local, national and international history, students learn to analyse evidence, evaluate interpretations and construct well-supported arguments. The curriculum encourages curiosity, critical thinking and an appreciation of how the past continues to influence the present. Students explore themes of power, conflict, migration, empire, democracy and social change while developing the historical skills needed for further study and active citizenship.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)
Students study a broad and diverse curriculum that develops chronological understanding and introduces key historical concepts through a range of British and world history topics.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Empires East and West c.1000 | The Tudors and the English Reformation | The First World War |
| The Silk Roads and global trade | Henry VIII and the break from Rome | Suffrage and popular protest |
| The Byzantine and Islamic Empires | The English Civil War and Cromwell | The Second World War |
| The Norman Conquest and Battle of Hastings | The Glorious Revolution | The Holocaust |
| Medieval Church and Society | The Transatlantic Slave Trade | Historical interpretations and source enquiry |
| Challenges to Medieval Monarchs | Resistance, abolition and Olaudah Equiano | History Around Us investigations and local history studies |
| Magna Carta and popular protest | The Industrial Revolution | |
| Medieval Mali, Mansa Musa and Timbuktu | The British Empire and its global impact |
Throughout Key Stage 3, students investigate a range of historical sources and interpretations while exploring recurring themes including power, migration, empire, religion, equality, conflict and social change.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Students follow either OCR GCSE History or OCR GCSE Ancient History, developing advanced historical knowledge alongside analytical and evaluative skills.
GCSE History
| Elizabethan England | Crime and Punishment | History Around Us | Nazi Germany | The Vikings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government and royal power | Crime and law enforcement from the Medieval period to the present day | Local historical studies, including site investigations | The rise of Hitler | Viking society and culture |
| Religion and Catholic threats | Changing methods of punishment | Historical significance and preservation | Dictatorship and control | Raids, settlement and expansion |
| Daily life in Tudor society | Continuity and change in justice systems | Propaganda and terror | The Great Heathen Army | |
| Popular culture and entertainment | Life under the Nazi regime | Viking kings and leadership | ||
| Exploration, trade and overseas expansion | Persecution and the Second World War | Scandinavian influence across Europe |
GCSE Ancient History
Students explore the ancient world through a range of significant civilisations and individuals.
| Year 10 | Year 11 |
|---|---|
| The Persian Empire, 559-465 BC | Alexander the Great |
| Cyrus the Great, Darius and Xerxes | Macedonian expansion and military strategy |
| Empire, conquest and governance | Empire building and leadership |
| The Greco-Persian Wars | Cleopatra: Rome and Egypt |
| The Foundations of Rome | Roman politics and civil war |
| Roman Kings and the Early Republic | Representation, power and historical interpretation |
| Democracy, power and political change | The fall of Ptolemaic Egypt |
Assessment
Assessment is embedded throughout the curriculum through:
Retrieval practice and knowledge quizzes
Source analysis and interpretation activities
Extended written responses
Historical enquiries and investigations
End-of-unit assessments
Mock examinations
GCSE examination practice and coursework requirements where appropriate
Enrichment and Careers
History helps students understand the complexity of human societies and equips them with valuable transferable skills including research, communication, critical analysis and problem-solving. Students explore issues that remain relevant today, including democracy, equality, power, migration and human rights.
The subject supports progression into careers such as law, teaching, journalism, politics, archaeology, heritage management, museum work, public service, civil service, research and international relations. Opportunities for local history studies, site visits and historical investigations help bring learning to life and develop a deeper understanding of the past.