History

Subject Leader: Miss Cape - scape@tqacademy.co.uk

AIMS OF THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT

• Develop students' understanding of key historical events, periods, and themes.
• Foster critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation of historical sources and interpretations.
• Encourage appreciation of the complexity of historical issues and their relevance to the present.
• Develop skills in historical inquiry, research, and effective communication of historical knowledge and understanding.

HISTORY CURRICULUM

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 3 CURRICULUM

Our key stage 3 curriculum is designed to provide the chronological framework for students to 'pin' future knowledge onto. It is designed so that students are confidently able to read interpretations and be able to identify the key arguments of the historian. They will understand that sources are used by historians to investigate questions and are produced for a specific purpose.  Students will be confident with second order concepts and will build up their schemata for important substantive concepts like democracy, dictatorship, conquest, control and Communism.

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM

Course Title: GCSE History

Examining Body: Edexcel

Course Lead: Miss Cape

What will I study?

Medicine Through Time and the Western Front explores medical advancements from Medieval  to modern times, and the impact of World War I on medical practices and treatments.

Superpower Relations and the Cold War examines the origins, key events, and resolution of the Cold War, focusing on the US-Soviet rivalry from 1941 to 1991.

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England explores Anglo-Saxon England, the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror's rule, and the social, political, and cultural changes from 1060 to 1088.

Weimar and Nazi Germany covers the Weimar Republic's challenges, Nazi rise to power, Hitler's dictatorship, and life in Nazi Germany from 1918 to 1939.

How and when will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed in the Summer exam series at the end of Year 11 via 3 examinations.

Further study

If you enjoy GCSE History you may wish to consider studying the following subjects in Sixth Form:

A level History

A level English Literature

A level Economics

OVERVIEW OF KEY STAGE 5 CURRICULUM

Course Title: A Level History

Examining Body: AQA

Course Lead: Miss Cape

Course description

A-Level History isn’t a subject that is stuck in the past. Far from it. Historical events are what has shaped the world today. The History course has been designed to help you understand the significance of historical events, the role of individuals in history and the nature of change over time. In the process you will gain a deeper understanding of the past through political, social, economic and cultural perspectives.

The course content ensures that you study a range of historical periods as well as the History of different countries. In addition to the wealth of knowledge, you will acquire many transferable skills to both higher education and the world of work.

What will I learn?

You will study both The Tudors and Germany alongside each other throughout the two years.

The Tudors is a breadth study which spans more than a 100 years and provides the opportunity to investigate the issues of change and continuity in England. In Year 12 you will focus on the consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty in England during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII.

Democracy and Nazism provides an opportunity to study in depth a period of German History during which a newly developed democratic form of government gave way to a dictatorial Nazi regime. It explores political and ideological concepts and encourages reflection on how democratic governments work and the associated problems, as well as consideration of what creates and sustains a dictatorship.

Course structure

Component 1: Breadth Study 1C The Tudors: England, 1485 – 1603

2 hour 30 minute exam worth 40% of A-Level comprised of 2 essays and one interpretation question

Component 2: Depth Study 2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918 – 1945

2 hour 30 minute exam worth 40% of A-Level comprised of 2 essays and one source question

Component 3: Historical Investigation on The Advancement of Civil Rights in America

A 4,500 word essay worth 20% of the A Level 

Assessment for components 1 and 2 is through examination during the Summer exam series of year 13. Component 3 is internally assessed through an extended essay which is started in the Summer Term of year 13 and submitted at the end of January in year 13.

Where could it lead?

History is a highly respected academic A-Level subject which will improve your ability to investigate, assemble and assess facts before putting across your point of view fluently in both oral and written form.

Students who study History can of course go on to become historical researchers, conservationists and curators but also History supports other career paths such as law, journalism, politics and public services.

CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN TO UNIVERSITY

Top 5 UK universities to study History:

1. St Andrews
2. Oxford University 
3. Cambridge University 
4. Bournemouth University 
5. Durham University

CAREERS INFORMATION

If you enjoy History you might consider the following careers:

Lawyer:

A lawyer advises and represents clients in legal matters, conducts research, drafts legal documents, and advocates in court to resolve disputes and uphold justice. They can specialise in different areas of the law. 

Average salary: £40,559 - £78,000 

 Civil Servant:

A civil servant implements government policies, provides public services, administers programs, and ensures compliance with regulations to support and improve community welfare and national governance.

Average salary: £21,380 - £82,550

 Cultural Resource Manager:

Manages the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites and artefacts, ensuring compliance with preservation laws and conducting impact assessments.

Average salary: £28,000 - £55,000

EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

We participate in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project to Poland. 

We run trips to Berlin which include visits to the Reichstag, Sachsenhausen concentration camp and Potsdam Palace.

A level students get the opportunity to go to London and visit the Imperial War Museum as well as Hampton Court Palace. 

When appropriate we engage with education sessions run by the National Archives.