History

Introduction

History at Key Stage 3 consolidates and builds on the skills acquired at Key Stage 2. Pupils focus on topic areas that encourage their thirst for knowledge and their desire to explore, investigate and challenge accounts of the past.

The programme of study follows the broad framework of the National Curriculum for History at Key Stage 3.  Within this framework there is a good deal of flexibility in the choice of topics, enabling a selection of material to suit a variety of learning styles.

Pupils are regularly assessed in the following ‘key elements’:

• Chronology- understanding events in a sequential framework
• Knowledge and Understanding – analysis of cause, consequence, significance and interdependence of events)
• Interpretations of History- to recognise that there can be different versions of events and to critically analyse these interpretations
• Historical Enquiry – to investigate and research an aspect of History by using a variety of material and assessing its value.
• Organisation and Communication – communicating knowledge and understanding in a variety of ways – written, verbal, visual and kinaesthetic.

Topics in Key Stage 3

Year 7

• Introduction to History – key concepts and language
• The Roman Empire
• Medieval Monarchs
• Medieval People
• Medieval Church
• Field visit to Tatton Park ‘Medieval Day’

Year 8

• Images of an Age 1500-1700
• The Tudors and Religion
• Civil Wars
• Restoration

Year 9

• Snapshot 1900
• Industrial Changes
• British Empire & Slavery
• First World War
• Cold War
• Holocaust

Teaching and Learning Styles

Teaching and learning styles are constantly reviewed in order to meet the demands of the new Key Stage 3 National Strategy.  Lesson delivery focuses on sharing teaching and learning goals clearly with pupils and employing a variety of strategies to encourage active participation and full engagement in learning. Pupils take part in role play, display work, debate and problem-solving tasks in preparation for producing developed responses to challenges.  These activities develop confidence in communicating pupils’ knowledge, skills and understanding in a variety of ways, which is further reinforced by self, peer and teacher assessment.

At the end of the key stage pupils will be awarded a National Curriculum level based on work that they have produced during Year Nine.

Key Stage 4

Pupils may opt to follow AQA Specification A at GCSE – code 40402.  Full details of the course content can be obtained at www.aqa.org.uk

History is a very popular choice at GCSE with an excellent record of achievement.  Pupils find that the skills they develop in the study of History are valuable in helping them to think critically and become effective communicators.

The Assessment Objectives focus on the ability to:

• deploy knowledge
• use sources
• analyse and evaluate interpretations
• communicate knowledge and understanding effectively

The Scheme of Assessment has three parts

Written Paper 1

Study in Development: Medicine and Public Health Through Time, 35%% of the total GCSE

Written Paper 2

Enquiry in Depth: Germany1919-1945, 40% of the total GCSE. The paper has two sections.  Pupils must answer one question from each section.

Controlled Assessment

One assignment based on ‘History Around Us’  (Quarry Bank Mill) 25% of the total GCSE.

AS and A2 Level History

Students follow Edexcel GCE History, covering Henry VIII, Korea and Vietnam, Stalin’s Russia, The French Revolution and a personal investigation based on Aspects of 19^th Century American History.

Full details of the course content can be obtained from www.edexcel.com or simply Google Edexcel GCE History.

The number of students opting for History has continued to grow in recent years with most continuing the subject at A2.  For those pupils who are willing to work hard, this is a rewarding choice.  Many of the skills developed at this level meet the Key Skills Qualification in the following areas:

• Communication
• Working with Others
• Improving Own Learning and Performance
• Problem Solving.

Why Study A-Level History and Politics at Helsby?

Scheme of Assessment

AS

• Unit 1 Written Paper 50% of the total AS marks
• Unit 2 Written Paper 50% of the total AS marks

The AS provides 50% of the marks for the overall Advanced Level ( A2 ). It is therefore important that students work hard at their studies throughout Year 12 in order to provide a strong foundation for success in Year 13

A2

• Unit 3  Written paper  60% of A2 marks, 30% of total A level.
• Unit 4 Historical Enquiry 40% of A2, 20% of total A level.

Students choose their own area to investigate.

Extra-Curricular Activities/Educational Visits

The History Department currently organises a range of educational visits for pupils: our Medieval Day at Tatton Park, a Year 9 visit to the International Slavery Museum and our annual visit to Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, with our GCSE students.

Links with the wider curriculum

The nature of the topics studied makes History an ideal subject to link to other aspects of the curriculum:

Moral, spiritual and ethical issues are considered in most topics covered.

Strong links are made with Science, especially at the end of Year 9 and also throughout Year 10 when studying Medicine Through Time.

Issues of Citizenship are covered in most topics, which are then related to current examples. This enables students to gain a better understanding of rights and responsibilities in the modern world.

Mathematical skills are often used to process historical data and present material in graphical forms.

Literacy skills are developed in most of the learning experiences enjoyed by the pupils.  They learn to communicate effectively in a variety of forms for different purposes.

A skill in the use and interpretation of maps and physical landscapes and evaluation of historical locations helps pupils to practise their geographical skills.

AS and A2 Government and Politics

Students may opt to follow Advanced Subsidiary 215.  Full details of the course can be found on www.aqa.org.uk

The course is delivered by members of the History department who are very experienced in teaching this subject.

Pupils who opt for this course find that they gain a number of benefits; they meet the challenge of learning a new and unfamiliar subject and also become much better informed citizens.  They begin to see the real advantages of living in a democracy and participating in the political process.

In recent years Government and Politics has become increasingly popular.

The course offers students the opportunity to study British government and politics in Year 12.  As well as gaining a sound knowledge of political institutions, students also explore current issues as they relate to these features. The examination of key political concepts underpins the learning experience in this year.

Advanced (A2)

In Year 13 students explore the American political system and make comparisons withBritain.  This offers students the opportunity to carry out detailed investigations and apply their knowledge and understanding at a higher level.

Scheme of Assessment AS

• AS Unit 1 Written Paper: People, Politics and Participation in the UK
• AS Unit 2 Written Paper: Governing Modern Britain

Scheme of Assessment A2

• Unit 3 Written Paper:  The Politics of the USA
• Unit 4 Written Paper:  The Government of the USA

Department Team

Head of Department:

• Mrs N Llewellyn

Departmental Staff:

• Miss J Mackay
• Mrs M Marvin
• Mrs V Clarke
• Mr S Capstick
• Miss E Valentine