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History

History Curriculum Statement

At the heart of our History curriculum is a belief that every student deserves a rich, challenging, and inclusive education that brings the past to life. We aim to develop curious, critical thinkers who understand the complexity of the world around them through a diverse and knowledge-rich exploration of history.

Our Vision

We inspire students to explore a wide range of local, national, and global histories across the Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern periods. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, students build a deep understanding of key historical concepts such as causation, change, significance, and consequence, while developing analytical skills and a critical approach to the past.

Intent

Guided by the principle that “a people without the knowledge of their past… is like a tree without roots” (Marcus Garvey), we aim to:

  • Explore diverse histories and perspectives from different periods and regions.
  • Encourage debate and challenge conventional narratives.
  • Develop students' ability to interpret sources, evaluate interpretations, and write analytically.
  • Promote cross-curricular connections, cultural understanding, and British values.
  • Enrich learning through trips, community involvement, and partnerships with external organisations.

Implementation

Our curriculum is taught by subject specialists and structured around clear progression from Year 7 to GCSE. Lessons are designed to balance depth and breadth, support long-term retention, and ensure accessibility for all learners. Teaching includes:

  • Regular retrieval practice and formative assessment.
  • Modelling of high-quality written responses.
  • Differentiated tasks and adaptive teaching strategies.
  • Emphasis on revisiting and building on prior knowledge.

We ensure professional development underpins strong teaching, drawing on resources from AQA, the Historical Association, and internal expertise to maintain curriculum excellence.

Impact

Student progress is monitored through ongoing formative assessment, structured extended writing tasks, and Knowledge Checks. These inform tailored reteach sessions to close knowledge gaps. At GCSE, regular retrieval tasks and low-stakes testing build confidence and exam readiness.

Our curriculum prepares students to think independently, argue persuasively, and engage thoughtfully with the world—skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Curriculum Overview 2024–25

Year 7:

  • Migration to Britain (500BC–present)
  • Norman Conquest
  • Power in Medieval England
  • The Middle East in Medieval Times
  • The Reformation in England

Year 8:

  • The Turbulent 1600s
  • Transatlantic Slave Trade
  • Industrial Revolution
  • British Empire and Colonisation
  • World War One
  • Boston: A Tale of Two Cities

Year 9:

  • 20th–21st Century Dictators
  • World War Two and the Holocaust
  • The Global Cold War
  • Civil Rights and Protest in the UK

Year 10 (GCSE):

  • Elizabethan England
  • Conflict and Tension (1918–1939)
  • Germany (1890–1945)

Year 11 (GCSE):

  • Health and the People
  • Thematic Revision
  • GCSE Exams

 

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