Curriculum Statement for History

HISTORY

Subject Leader - Ms G Tomsett

gto@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk

History

History at Pewsey Vale School is designed to give a thorough and stimulating insight into the past where students are encouraged to think critically and independently using precise knowledge and judgement. It is essential that their experience of the subject enables students to better understand the world they live in and their place in it: as a result, a diverse curriculum and an attitude to challenge stereotypes and prejudices underpin all elements of the Department's work. It encompasses reading, writing, speaking and listening, with students encouraged to debate, to explore issues and ideas, to express themselves clearly and to enjoy studying a wide range of historical events, people and changes.

Year 7
Year 7 History students will explore medieval history, with a particular focus on the development of monarchy, life during the medieval period and England’s relations with Europe.

Year 8
Year 8 History students will the Early Modern World, with a particular focus on the Tudors and Stuarts, Industrial Revolution, French Revolution and Slavery and the Civil Rights movement.

Year 9
Year 9 History students will explore the modern world, with a particular focus on the world wars, Holocaust and Cold War.

Assessment
Assessment will take place at the end of each unit. Students will be assessed against Key Stage three assessment matrices for History. History teachers will award grades and interim levels to students for individual pieces of work. During the course of their study these levels can go up and down as students develop different skills as well as the range of topics.

Assessment Matrices

Click for access to Assessment Matrices

Equipment
Students must have a school have a ruler, pen and pencil.

Extra-Curricular Activities
There will be periodic out of school visits to galleries, museums and historic sites relating to topics being undertaken.

Suggested Extension Activities
It is great to go and visit historical sites and museums in order to expand their contextual knowledge of the topics being studied. Also asking family members of experiences of the past will also enrich student’s understanding of how the past has developed.

GCSE History

• Examination Board: EDEXCEL
• Specification: GCSE History

Specification link

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments

Overview

GCSE History covers a wide chronological range and types of history. In Year 10 pupils will focus on an in-depth British depth study: Early Elizabethan England, 1558– 88, the thematic study of Medicine Through Time, a period study of Superpower Relations & the Cold War Relations. In Year 11, pupils will assess the political changes & events in Germany, between 1919-1939, considering the impact of the rise & fall of the Weimar democracy & Nazi dictatorship. This caters for a wide range of interests and develops valuable analytical skills and critical thinking. There is no longer any controlled assessment unit in GCSE History; students will be assessed by three exams.

Year 10

Year 11

History Resources
Textbooks and additional history books are available from the history office, including some revision material.

Assessment
Students are regularly assessed using the exam style questions and regular knowledge tests. Assessments are reported to parents/carers at intervals during the academic year. Students will be assessed by three written exams when they sit their GCSEs.

Home Learning
Homework will mainly be exam questions, revision or review tasks from content learnt in lessons. This is designed to use all time in lessons effectively to learn new content and exam skills.

Useful resources

Websites:

BBC bite size – good revision guides

Youtube.com – great for documentaries

www.johndclare.net – good for Germany