History
Our aim at Key Stage 3 to extend and deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, inspiring them to be curious historians. Students will develop their skills to ask questions, think critically, analyse sources, interpret evidence and build their own judgements of important events and time periods.
Our History curriculum encourages students to critically engage with the world in which they live, both past and present. This critical engagement with historical sources and stimulus will improve students’ communication skills whilst deepening their empathetic understanding of the world around them.
During Year 7 and 8 students undertake two lessons of History a week. They study a range of topics linked to an overarching historical concept; In Year 7 it is power and in Year 8 it is Empire and War. Power focuses on who has the power in England from 1066 to 20th Century. Empire focuses on the development of the British Empire and the impact this had on Britain. War looks at the impact of war including World War One and Two on everyday people, including the Holocaust.
Year 9 students undertake three lessons of History a week. They will deepen their knowledge further in studying other countries during the 20th Century in detail. Focusing on Russia, America and the Middle East. For the second part of the year, they will study migration to Britain over a thousand year period.
Big Question
Power struggles: How has who has the power changed throughout History?
Autumn 1
What is History?: Local study
Introduction to key History skills
Students will look at Harpenden and the surrounding area
Autumn 2
How did a French Duke gain control of England?
Introduction to life in 1066 England
Students cover the battle for the crown, the Battle of Hastings and William’s control in 1066
Spring 1
Who had the power in medieval England?
Analysis of the role of the church in medieval England
Students explore Thomas Becket, King John, the Magna Carta, the Black Death and the Peasants Revolt
Spring 2
Why did Henry break free from Rome?
Students evaluate why Henry broke from Rome including motives such as; power, money, religion and love
Summer 1
Charles I: How did a king turn families against each other?
Students will explore and investigate the causes of the Civil War and discuss the question how the power/role of the monarch changed in this period
Summer 2
How did ordinary people’s power develop?
Students will apply their knowledge to a new historical event. In doing so, students will question and analyse how all people gained the vote and equality
Disciplinary concepts – Skills
- Knowledge and Understanding of events- demonstrate the key features and characteristics of the period studied.
- Consequences – assessing the result
- Cause – understanding the source, root or origin
- Continuity – exploring why things stay the same
- Change – discovering what changes
- Analyse, evaluate and use sources- make judgements about their content and provenance in the context of the time they were written.
- Significance – understanding the importance
- Similarities and differences – comparing things that are the same/different
