History
Why study History?
Understanding past events and people and their significance gives students a better insight into the world around them. We believe in the importance of not just learning history but learning from history. The study of History equips pupils with the ability to critically analyse source material, assess the merits of different arguments, hone their debating skills, and recognise bias and propaganda.
How will I study History?
Pupils study History through big enquiry questions. Each enquiry covers a sequence of lessons. At the end of that sequence of lessons pupils are equipped to formulate their own answer to the enquiry. These are genuine historical debates amongst academic historians. Pupils learn historical concepts that are revisited regularly in different periods of time, locations and people allowing pupils to gain a deeper understanding. Alongside this, pupils learn to be historians developing their disciplinary knowledge understanding methods of historical enquiry, how evidence is used to make historical claims and understand why there are different interpretations of the past.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
In Year 7, pupils explore historical enquiries that span the Roman to Tudor period. This includes:
- Historical enquiries that explore how the Romans established rule in England after failing twice.
- If the Normans brought trouble to Britain.
- The significance of the Magna Carta.
- If 1348 really was the end of the world.
- Was there a Mid Tudor Crisis or was it a period of trauma and survival?
In Year 8, pupils move through the study of Mughal India and end at Britain’s industrial revolution. Pupils explore enquiries that cover:
- Who was the greatest Mughal of them all?
- How modern was Britain by 1789?
- Were the ‘Divine Right of Kings’ – the will of the people or the will of God?
- How did the British lead the French into revolution?
- Did the abolition of slavery end slavery?
- Why is the British Empire on trial? Was there an Indian mutiny or a war of independence?
- Which better describes the Industrial Revolution: Dark satanic mills’ or ‘progress and improvement?’
In Year 9, pupils move into the twentieth century to present day. Historical enquiries explore:
- Was the First World War worth winning?
- How far did new ideas cause conflict?
- Why were the Nazis able to implement the Final Solution?
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
At Key Stage 4, pupils take a Modern depth study on Germany 1890-1945. Pupils study Weimar and Nazi Germany. This covers the Weimar Republic, Hitler’s rise to power, Nazi control and dictatorship, life in Nazi Germany.
As a thematic study, pupils study Health and the people from c1000 to the present day. Through this gain an understanding of how medicine and public health developed in Britain over a long period of time. Pupils study the importance of the following factors:
- war
- superstition and religion
- government
- science and technology
- The role of the individual in encouraging or inhibiting change.
As a British depth study, pupils explore early Elizabethan England. They focus on the Queen, government and religion, challenges to Elizabeth I at home and abroad, and Elizabethan society and the age of exploration. They will also explore a specific Elizabethan site in depth focusing on its historical context and examining the relationship between a specific place and associated historical events and developments.
In addition, pupils undertake a period study focusing on conflict and tension during the inter-war years, 1918-1939. It looks at concepts such as national self-determination, ideas of internationalism and the challenges of revising the peace settlement. It focuses on the causes of the Second World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the issues which caused it. This study also considers the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change, as well as how they were affected by and influenced international relations.
What will I study at Key Stage 5?
Currently we do not have a sixth form and have not selected the course we intend to study. When pupils leave Eden, they live with diverse history skills that enable them to study the subject beyond Key Stage 4.
Assessment at Key Stage 4
History AQA 8145
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam (2 hours) 84 marks 50% of GCSE |
Section A: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship Section B: Conflict and tension the inter-war years 1918-1939 |
| Overview | Focus |
|---|---|
| Written exam (2 hours) 84 marks 50% of GCSE |
Section A: Britain: Health and the People: c1000 to the present day [AA] Section B: Elizabethan England c1568-1603 [BC] |
Enrichment
The department offers a range of educational visits throughout the year such as a visits to the Tower of London, and the Imperial War Museum. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. The department also puts on live History exhibitions brining to life stories of the past through the display of food, culture, architectures, clothing, and art. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model. The history department also leads on our recognition and celebration of key historical events such as Armistice Day, and Black History Month.
Careers
The study of History can lead to future careers ranging from Researcher, Museum Archivist and Journalist to Librarian, Business Consultant and Editor. Famous History graduates include Louis Theroux (documentary filmmaker, author), Jonathan Ross (TV presenter), Joe Biden (US President) and Gordon Brown (ex-British Prime Minister).