The purpose of the study of history is to develop students’ sense of identity, understand their place in the world and to learn how and why the world and society has changed.
By doing this, students will develop a tolerance and a world view that will provide a foundation not just for their historical study but also for their wider lives.
Learning history at The Chase requires students to develop some key historical skills. Lessons make use of primary source material, so that pupils can contend with issues of source utility and provenance. The ability to critically evaluate evidence and make reasoned judgements about its purpose and reliability are fundamental for our students’ success in today’s information-rich world. In addition, students will evaluate the validity of historical interpretations of key historic events to form a broad range of views and arguments. The final skill students will develop is the ability to analyse the significance of historical events during the period and the long reaching impacts that they may have. All these skills will equip pupils to become self-sufficient learners with the ability to transfer these skills to the modern world.
We have taken the decision for the history curriculum to be fully integrated within the wider school to allow students to transfer and interleave learning not just year to year in history but subject to subject.
The knowledge formed in history is therefore applicable to subjects such as English, R.E. and French to name just a few. Students are therefore encouraged to form these links which facilitates pupils with a knowledge rich curriculum and will equip them to develop into metacognitive learners.
History at key stage three focusses on providing pupils with a sense of identity and an understanding of their place in the world. Students gain a broadly chronological view of history whilst exploring key themes throughout history.
In year 7 pupils will explore the theme of absolute power and religion. They will explore the relationship people in this period had with their rulers and religion and how this develops with the emergence of alternatives and new ideas.
In year 8 we develop this concept of power further by exploring its relation to oppression and revolution. We ask pupils to develop a wider world view that incorporates untold stories of history.
Finally in year 9 we challenge students to explore the concept of ideologies and the challenges and dangers that they pose throughout the 20th century. Pupils will develop the foundational knowledge needed here to understand the world they live in today and the far-reaching impacts of events from the previous century.
Throughout all of this student will develop key historical skills exploring sources, historical interpretations and the idea of significance. All these skills will equip pupils to become self-sufficient learners with the ability to transfer these skills to the modern world.
| In year 7 students will study | In year 8 students will study | In year 9 students will study |
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GCSE History will help you understand how the world you live in was shaped, and make you consider today’s society in a different way.
The new GCSE History enables the study of a wide range of topics:
Study world-changing developments in depth, from the rise of the Nazis to superpower tensions in the Cold War.
Examine the impact of Elizabeth I, her victory against the Spanish Armada and her relationship with Mary Queen of Scots.
Examine how medical knowledge has changed over a thousand years – from the bewilderment of the Black Death to modern day, hi-tech operations like organ transplants.
| Paper 1 |
Medicine through time and a study of medicine in the trenches in WW1. |
1 x 1hr 15 hour exam This comprises 30% of the qualification |
| Paper 2 |
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1 x 1hr 45 hour exam This comprises 40% of the qualification |
| Paper 3 |
Weimar and Nazi Germany
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1 x 1hr 20 exam This comprises 30% of the qualification |
History qualifications are highly regarded by businesses and universities because history students develop skills in communication, research, independent thinking, problem solving, and analysis. The skills learnt when studying History are relevant to all jobs. GCSE History can lead to A Level History, which is a very well regarded qualification by top universities, including Russell Group and Oxbridge universities.
History is particularly beneficial to careers in Law, Journalism, Archaeology, Politics, Education, Social Policy Researching, Television production and research.
Successful A Level candidates will:
During Year 12, you will study 2 units:
During Year 13, you will study a further 2 units:
4,000-word assignment on any topic of your choice illustrating different Historical Perspectives on that subject.
The coursework will develop investigatory skills and prepare students for undergraduate studies
The study of History trains you to select relevant information, assess the validity of an argument, think, and write logically and make informed judgements about controversial issues. It thereby equips you for a wide variety of careers. It is certainly an ideal grounding for law, involving, as both do, the deployment of argument based on evidence.
The skill most developed by History is that of critical analysis and the ability to express ideas, knowledge, and interpretations clearly and coherently. In the fields of management, law, administration, accountancy, journalism, and marketing, this is a highly valued asset.