History

History Department Curriculum Intent

History students will be empowered to engage critically with the past, challenge established views and relate History to the world in which we live today.
History students will be empowered as global and British citizens in celebrating the achievements of the past, and in learning from the mistakes of humanity.
History students will be empowered to become caring individuals that display virtues of respect, tolerance and empathy.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9):

Students will focus on one enquiry question per half term. The Key Stage 3 curriculum follows a broad chronological overview starting with Roman Britain and finishing in the second half of the 20^th Century

Year 7

How has Chingford changed over time?
Do the ‘Dark Ages’ really deserve their title?
William I – conqueror or tyrant?
Did the crusades achieve anything?
What was the biggest threat to Medieval monarchs of England?
How welcoming has Britain been for migrants throughout history?

Year 8

How far did religion really change under the Tudors?
How far did Britain become more ‘Modern’ from the 17^th- 18^th century?
Was the British Empire really ‘the greatest instrument for good’?
Why was the slave trade abolished?
Who won women the vote in 1918?
Why did the sun finally set on the British Empire?

Year 9

Who is to blame for the start of World War One?
How did Russia change between 1855-1953?
How did the Persecution of Minorities Escalate between 1933 and 1945?
How did the African-American Civil Rights Movement develop during the 20th century?
Why did World War Two break out in 1939?
Why did the USA lose the Vietnam War?

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11):

Students follow the Edexcel specification and study the following topics:

Paper 1- Medicine in Britain, c1250–present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.

Paper 2- Henry VIII and his ministers, 1509–40 and Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91.

Paper 3- Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39.

Key Stage 5 (A-Levels):

A-Level students follow the AQA exam board. They study two examined units, each worth 40% of their overall grade. They also complete a piece of coursework worth 20% of their overall grade.

Component 1: Breadth Study - Unit 1K The Making of a Superpower: USA, 1865-1975

The Era of Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, 1865-1890
Populism, Progressivism and imperialism, 1890-1920
Crisis of identity, 1920-1945
The Superpower, 1945-1975

Component 2: Depth Study - Unit 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007

The Affluent Society, 1951-1964
The Sixties, 1964-1970
The End of the Post-War Consensus, 1970-1979
The Impact of Thatcherism, 1979-1987
Towards a new Consensus, 1987-1997
The Era of New Labour, 1997-2007

Component 3: NEA Historical Investigation: Tudor Rebellions

Students complete one extended essay from a selection of questions set by the teacher. It is worth 20% of their overall grade.

Further information:

Please view the History Learning Journey.