History

Mr Adam Collins | Head of History

The history department aims to build students’ confidence through the development of independent and critical thinking. Far from treating history as a subject based solely on past events we aim to inspire pupils to see parallels between historic and modern events.

Students will learn through evaluation of key themes and individuals the impact of and responses to decision making. In a world of ever closer global involvement it is essential to understand political, social, cultural and economic developments. History and Politics develop transferable skills that can easily be used in any aspect of life. Through debates and discussions we challenge stereotypes and assumptions and enable students to identify the causes of common misconceptions, encouraging a strong commitment to analytical thinking.

Key Stage 3

What will my child learn in History?

History gives an opportunity for students to understand the development over time of social and cultural values. It also provides training in essential work and study skills such as the ability to locate and extract information from primary and secondary sources, to analyse and organise this information and to construct a logical argument.

How is History taught?

We explore history through all the senses with discussion and debate at the forefront of learning how to form arguments and opinions on different people, events and periods in history. Practical history and bringing history to life is the foundation of teaching and learning with pupils taking part in strategic planning for civil war battles and the diplomacy of the early 1900s.

Through active engagement in History students will use group work, role play, practical demonstrations, debate and discussions to learn key concepts and ideas.

Through a wide range of resources; ICT, games, role plays, research.
Through thinking; students will be encouraged to solve problems and think for themselves, forming their own opinions on key issues, developing skills to challenge their own ideas and those of their peers.

How is History assessed?
Students will be assessed at the end of each topic area or half term period. Assessments are cumulative and evaluate students’ skills each time.

Year 7
The Kingdom of Mali, The Norman Conquest, The Black Death, The Tudors. Local Studies: Romans in Maidenhead, Saxons in Taplow, Saxons in Cookham, Windsor Castle and Reading Abbey Ruins

Click here for more information about Year 7

Year 8
The Kingdom of Benin, Causes of the American Revolution, Empire and Slavery, The British Empire - India and Australia, The Great War. Local Studies: Abolitionists in Maidenhead (William Grenville and Maidenhead at War.

Click here for more information about Year 8

Year 9
Democracy and Equality, The English Revolution, World War II and Persecution and Crime and Punishment in Whitechapel. Local Studies: Magna Carta at Runnymede, The Battle for Newbury, Maidenhead at War and the ATA at White Waltham and Sir Nicholas Winton .

Click here for more information about Year 9

What resources will support my child’s learning?
KS3 Britain 1066-1509 Invasion & Plague
KS3 Britain 1509 -1745 Renaissance, Revolution & Reform
KS3 History 1745-1901 Industry, Invention & Empire
KS3 History 1901-present Technology, War & Independence

Key Stage 4

What will my child learn in History?

In History we study a variety of periods, further developing skills and topics studied at KS3. With the broad number of fields of study on offer we are able to choose those that interlink with other curriculum areas and focus on History that has shaped the nation and its relationships with other countries.
In each area students will investigate and evaluate different viewpoints and how the causes and consequences of events have had wide-ranging impacts on the modern world and international relations. This evaluation is vital to clarity of decision making.

How is History taught?
Through active engagement in History students will use group work, role play, practical demonstrations, debate and discussions to learn key concepts and ideas.

Through a wide range of resources; ICT, games, role plays, research.
Through thinking; students will be encouraged to solve problems and think for themselves, forming their own opinions on key issues, developing skills to challenge their own ideas and those of their peers.

What examination board does History follow?
Edexcel History
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html

How is GCSE assessed?
Paper 1 – Crime & Punishment in Britain, c1000-present & the Historic Environment
Paper 1 is based on a study of themes over time and the development of historical research skills.
Students sit a 1hr 15min exam, consisting of 2 sections.
Total marks for this paper are 52

Your assessment:
· Section A – The Historic Environment, Whitechapel
· Section B – Crime & Punishment over time.

Paper 2 – Period Study & British Depth Study – International Relations & The Cold War and Early Elizabethan England
Students sit a 1hr 45min exam, with 2 sections.
The total marks for this paper are 64
Your assessment:
· International Relations and the Cold War
· Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588

Paper 3 – Modern Depth Study – Weimar & Nazi Germany 1918-1939
Students sit a 1hr 20min exam, with questions based on a source booklet.
The total marks for this paper are 52

What resources will support my child’s learning?
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History
History Crime and punishment through time, c1000–present
ISBN: 9781292127361
History Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91
ISBN 9781292127279
Early Elizabethan England, 1558–1588 ISBN: 9781292127262
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–1939 ISBN 9781292127347

GCSE Handbook
Each student will be given a copy of a GCSE History department handbook. It contains sample papers, timelines, lists of core content as well as important information regarding the skills required for each question on each exam paper.

Seneca: https://senecalearning.com/
GCSE Pod
BBC Bitesize

Key Stage 5

What will my child learn in History?

History is an exciting subject which enables students to develop a passion for, and critical understanding of the past. A level History students are able to use this to form educated opinions regarding the present, examining past decisions effects on current world issues at both a local level and on a global scale. The subject looks at how nations and their peoples interact and what effect this has on society and global relationships. The A-level encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. Students are encouraged to engage with the subject by becoming independent thinkers and active and informed citizens, who recognise the role and importance of history as the cornerstone to understanding the changes in the world.

How is History taught?
Through active engagement in History students will use group work, role play, practical demonstrations, debate and discussions to learn key concepts and ideas.

Through a wide range of resources; ICT, games, role plays, research.
Through thinking; students will be encouraged to solve problems and think for themselves, forming their own opinions on key issues, developing skills to challenge their own ideas and those of their peers.

Through debate: students are encouraged to challenge common misconceptions through reasoned argument and debate.

What examination board does History follow?
AQA History A level 7042
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/history/as-and-a-level/history-7041-7042

How is A level assessed?

Paper 1- : The Making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
2 hours 30 mins
Total marks: 80
A written paper based on the development of the USA from the end of the Civil War.
Students will answer 3 questions, one related to unseen historical interpretations.

Paper 2 – The English Revolution, 1625–1660
2 hours 30 mins
Total marks: 80
A written paper based on the causes and consequences of the English Civil Wars.

Student will answer 3 questions, one related to unseen sources.

Non Examined Assessment
An independently researched essay of approximately 4500 words. Based on an area of student choice, it must cover a minimum period of 100 years and demonstrate evaluation of contemporary sources and historical perspectives.

A Level Handbook
Each student will be given a copy of an A Level History department handbook. It contains sample papers, timelines, lists of core content as well as important information regarding the skills required for each question on each exam paper.

Curriculum Map

History Curriculum Map

SMSC

SMSC in History at Desborough College

History

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