Why learn History?

The study of History will help our pupils understanding of their local area, their country and the wider world.  It will give them a wider understanding of the world they live in and help them answer difficult questions such as:

  • Why do wars happen? 
  • Why is Britain a democracy?
  • How did Britain become a major power?
  • What do we mean by left and right wing in politics?
  • Why do we have a welfare system?  
  • How have we come to live in a multi-cultural society?

History will also teach our pupils a range of important skills that will help them in their future studies and careers.  These skills include:

  • Excellent communication and writing skills 
  • How to construct an argument 
  • Research skills 
  • Investigation and problem-solving skills 
  • Analytical and interpretation skills

Finally studying History can lead on to exciting job opportunities in the future in careers such as:

  • Journalism 
  • Law
  • Business 
  • Politics 
  • Archaeology 
  • Marketing 
  • Teaching

History Curriculum Overview

Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.

 
Half Term 1
Knowledge
The study of a theme in British history before 1066.
How and why did Britain change from the Stone Age until 1066?
 
Skills / application of knowledge
Start to identify the challenges of studying history and explain why contrasting interpretations are made.
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the periods studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second-order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Consolidate and extend learning from key stage 1 and 2.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Evaluation of two interpretations
 
Half Term 2
Knowledge
The development of Church, state, and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
Why was England invaded in 1066?
Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second-order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of Viking invasions.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Essay – Causation question on the reasons for William's victory at the Battle of Hastings
 
Half Term 3
Knowledge
The development of Church, state, and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
How did the Normans complete the conquest?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Evaluation of the source and provenance.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second-order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of previous successful invasions of England pre-1066, including the Romans.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Source utility
 
Half Term 4
Knowledge
The development of Church, state, and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
How did people live in Medieval England?
Who had the power in Medieval England?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and compare interpretations.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of feudalism.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Evaluation of two interpretations
 
Half Term 5
Knowledge
The development of Church, state, and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
What were the causes and impact of the Black Death?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of feudalism and the importance of religion.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Evaluation of two interpretations
 
Half Term 6
Knowledge
The development of Church, state, and society in Britain 1509-1745.
How did England become a Protestant Country?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second-order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the importance of religion and the power struggle between monarch and church.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
End of Year Exam
 
Half Term 1
Knowledge
The development of Church, state, and society in Britain 1509-1745.
Why did Britain build an Empire?
What was the Transatlantic Slave Trade?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and compare interpretations.
Links to prior learning
Evaluation of interpretations
Assessment
Knowledge quizzes
Evaluation of two interpretations
 
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Ideas, political power, industry, and empire: Britain 1745-1901
Why was Britain the first country in the world to have an industrial revolution?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second -order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge on feudalism, empire, and slavery.
Writing a causation essay
Assessment
Knowledge quizzes
Essay (causation)
 
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Ideas, political power, industry, and empire: Britain 1745-1901
What were working and living conditions like in industrial Britain?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Evaluation of source and provenance.
Links to prior learning
Evaluation of the usefulness of a source.
Assessment
Knowledge quizzes
Source utility
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Ideas, political power, industry, and empire: Britain 1745-1901
What were the working and living conditions like in industrial Britain?
How did the Industrial Revolution impact on Preston?
How did industrialisation help create the campaign for women's votes?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
 
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Ideas, political power, industry, and empire: Britain 1745-1901
Why did women who helped build industrial Britain still have to fight for the vote?
Challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
What caused the First World War?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second -order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge on empire and industrialisation.
Writing a causation essay
Assessment
Knowledge quizzes
Essay (causation)
 
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
Why did the First World War turn into a brutal stalemate?
 
 
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second -order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the rival alliances and the Schlieffen plan
Source utility
Assessment
Knowledge quizzes
End of year exam
Half Term 1
Knowledge
Challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
The Battle of the Somme (Success or Failure)
The defeat of Germany in 1918
How did Adolf Hitler and the Nazis come to power in Germany?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and compare interpretations.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge on the causes and events of the First World War and the impact of the Industrial Revolution.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Evaluation of two interpretations.
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
How did Adolf Hitler and the Nazis come to power in Germany?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second -order concepts.
Links to prior learning
The impact of the Industrial Revolution.
The causes, events, and end of the First World War.
 
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Evaluation of two interpretations.
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
How did the Nazis establish a Dictatorship?
What was life like in Nazi Germany?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Explain and analyse historical events studied using second -order concepts.
Links to prior learning
Knowledge of Marxist ideas and Communism in the Soviet Union.
The features of a democratic society.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Essay – Causation question analysing the reasons why the Nazis came to power.
 
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Challenges for Britain, Europe, and the wider world 1901 to the present day.
What was the Holocaust and why did it happen?
Skills / application of knowledge
Show knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of the period studied.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Knowledge of the spread of Christianity across Europe, 
The Nazi Party programme, Communism, and capitalism.
Assessment
Knowledge Quizzes
Half Term 5
Knowledge
The study of a significant society in world history.
Expansion: Opportunities and challenges
The geography of North America: attitudes to the Great American Desert; the belief in ‘Manifest Destiny’.
Why the early settlers went west and the challenges they faced: Brigham Young and the Mormons; the pioneer migrant farmers, the journey west; the miners.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
Knowledge of Columbus and the early British colonies, 
The impacts of economic depression.
Assessment
Describe questions.
Half Term 6
Knowledge
The study of a significant society in world history.
Expansion: Opportunities and challenges
Dealing with a different culture: the Plains Indians’ way of life; early American Government policy towards the Plains Indians; the Permanent Indian Frontier; a changing relationship with the Plains Indians.
 
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
The impact of economic depression.
Key Christian teachings.
Knowledge of a capitalist economy.
Assessment
End of Year exam (including describe, explain and causation questions)
 
Half Term 1
Knowledge
USA 1840-1895 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
Retrieval - Expansion: Opportunities and challenges; The geography of North America; Why the early settlers went west and the Challenges they faced; Dealing with a different culture.
Conflict across America - Increasing conflict on the Plains:  the Fort Laramie Treaty (1851) and the failure of the policy of concentration; the Indian Wars (1862–1867): reasons for and consequences of the Wars; Sand Creek Massacre; Fetterman's Trap.
The background to the American Civil War: differences between North and South, issues of slavery, westward expansion and free states abolitionism; breakdown of the Missouri Compromise, John Brown, the roles of Lincoln and Jefferson Davis; the social and economic impact of the American Civil War on civilian populations.
Coming to terms with the Mormons: the Mountain Meadow Massacre and its aftermath.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of agricultural and industrial society; the American constitution, and the federal system of government.
Assessment
End of Unit exam
Half Term 2
Knowledge
USA 1840-1895 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
Consolidation: Forging the nation
The aftermath of the American Civil War: the 13th Amendment; Civil Rights Act; reconstruction in the South, 1866–1877; carpetbaggers; the balance of Federal and State powers.
The continued settlement of the west: the Homesteaders, reasons for going west; government actions and laws; land and railroads; farming problems and solutions.
The resolution of 'the Indian problem' after 1865:  the small reservations policy; attitudes to the native Americans; Battle of the Little Big Horn; The Dawes Act; Battle of Wounded Knee; the closing of the frontier and its impact on native Americans.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the social and economic differences between North and South; the challenges of living and farming on the Plains; the policy of concentration.
Assessment
End of Unit exam
 
Half Term 3
Knowledge
Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
Peacemaking
The Armistice: aims of the peacemakers; Wilson and the Fourteen Points; Clemenceau and Lloyd George; the extent to which they achieved their aims.
The Versailles settlement: Diktat; territorial changes; military restrictions; war guilt and reparations.
The impact of the treaty and the wider settlement: reactions of the Allies; German objections; strengths and weaknesses of the settlement, including the problems faced by new states.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the causes of the First World War, the nature of trench warfare, the end of the War.
Assessment
End of Unit exam 
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Conflict and tension 1918-1939 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
The League of Nations and international peace
The League of Nations: its formation and covenant; organisation; membership and how it changed; the powers of the League; the work of the League's agencies; the contribution of the League to peace in the 1920s, including the successes and failures of the League, such as the Aaland Islands, Upper Silesia, Vilna, Corfu and Bulgaria.
Diplomacy outside of the League: Locarno treaties and the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the causes of the First World War, the nature of trench warfare, the end of the War.
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
The League of Nations and international peace
The collapse of the League: the effects of the Depression; the Manchurian and Abyssinian crises and their consequences; the failure of the League to avert war in 1939.
The orginis and outbreak of the Second World War
The development of tension: Hitler's aims and Allied reactions; the Dollfuss Affair; the Saar; German rearmament, including conscription; the Stresa Front; Anglo-German Naval Agreement.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Knowledge of the causes of the Wall Street Crash and impact of the Great Depression on the USA and Germany.
Assessment
End of Unit exam
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
The orginis and outbreak of the Second World War
Escalation of tension: remilitarisation of the Rhineland; Mussolini, the Axis and the Anti-Comintern Pact; Anschluss; reasons for and against the policy of appeasement; the Sudeten Crisis and Munich; the ending of appeasement.
The outbreak of war: the occupation of Czechoslovakia; the role of the USSR and the Nazi-Soviet Pact; the invasion of Poland and outbreak of war, September 1939; responsibility for the outbreak of war, including that of key individuals: Hitler, Stalin and Chamberlain.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the rise to power of Adolf Hitler, Hitler’s beliefs about the end of the First World War.
Assessment
End of Unit exam
 
Half Term 1
Knowledge
Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 (AQA GCSE History 8145)
Causes of the Second World War: responsibility for the outbreak of war, including that of key individuals: Hitler, Stalin and Chamberlain.
 
Health and the People (AQA GCSE History 8145)
Medicine stands still: Medieval medicine; Medical progress; Public health in the Middle Ages.
 
The beginnings of change: The impact of the Renaissance on Britain; Dealing with disease; Prevention of disease.
 
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge; Causes of the First World War; Hitler's rise to power; Nazi Germany 1933-1939.
Prior knowledge of the causes and impact of the Black Death.
Assessment
Exam on the origins and outbreak of the Second World War
Exam covering the first two sections of the health unit.
 
Half Term 2
Knowledge
Health and the People (AQA GCSE History 8145)
A revolution in medicine: The development of Germ Theory and its impact; A revolution in surgery; Improvements in public health.
Modern medicine: Modern treatment of disease; The impact of war and technology on surgery; The impact of war and technology on surgery; Modern public health
Revision for Mock Exams
Peacemaking 
The failure of the League of Nations
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of living and working conditions in 19th century Britain.
Prior knowledge of trench warfare during World War One.
Assessment
Exam covering the final two sections of the health unit.
Half Term 3
Knowledge 
Revision for Mock Exams
The westward expansion of the USA
Conflict across the USA
Norman England (AQA GCSE History 8145)
The Normans conquest and control: Causes of the Norman conquest; Military aspects.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the events of 1066.
Assessment
Mock exams with three papers covering 'USA 1840-1895', 'Conflict and Tension' and 'Health and People' units.
Half Term 4
Knowledge
Norman England (AQA GCSE History 8145)
The study of the historic environment: The Battle of Hastings
How much did life change under the Normans: Feudalism and government; economic and social changes and their consequences.
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of the Feudal System and Domesday Book in Norman England.
Prior knowledge of religion in Norman England.
Assessment
Essay on the historic environment
Half Term 5
Knowledge
Norman England (AQA GCSE History 8145)
How did religion change under the Normans: The Church; Monasticism
Revision - Paper One
Skills / application of knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of key features and characteristics of period studied.
Explain and analyse using second order historical concepts.
Analyse and evaluate contemporary sources to make substantiated judgements.
Links to prior learning
Prior knowledge of Norman reforms of religion.
Assessment
Selection of exam questions - units 1-3
Half Term 6
Knowledge
Revision - Paper Two
Assessment
GCSE exams