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GCSE History is a writing based subject, requiring skills of analysis, evaluation, and interpretation.

Students will learn through rigorous practising of essay and source analysis skills.

Course information:

Exam board: Edexcel

Paper 1 – Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Paper 2 – Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Paper 3 – Written examination: 1 hours and 20 minutes.

GCSE History is assessed through four assessment objectives:

• AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied (35%).
• AO2: Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using secondorder1 historical concepts (35%).
• AO3: Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied (15%).
• AO4: Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied (15%).

Contacts:

For further information/clarification about this course please contact Mr D Prudden

Key Stage 3 History prepares students for the demands of the UL end of year tests and for the rigours of GCSE study. Students will learn a wide range of knowledge and build and develop their historical skills such as the analysis of sources and interpretations and making substantiated judgements.

Course information:

Year 7:
Students will begin by studying Anglo-Saxon England the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the reasons for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings. A topic on Norman control will show how William the Conqueror was able to effectively keep control of England and its people and how England changed under the Normans. They will then study the importance of religion in England during the Middle Ages and how much control the Church had in all aspects of life. A study of medieval medicine will focus primarily on the Black Death and its consequences in England. Following on from the Black Death, students will look at three case studies of medieval kings and the challenges they faced in maintaining their power. Students will then study the Wars of the Roses and society and life in Tudor England in preparation for a depth study of the Tudors in Year 8. Finally, a project on the ‘discovery’ of the New World and Native Americans will begin to introduce students to the concept of empire.

Year 8:
Students will begin by studying the Tudors with Henry VIII’s break from Rome, and then analyse how and why Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I changed the course of religion in England. They will then study key aspects of the reign of Elizabeth I including her Religious Settlement and conflict with Spain. Students will then move on to understand the political, economic and religious causes of the English Civil war of 1642. We will look at how the Civil War ended, including a local study of the Battle of Naseby. Students will also study the changes made under Oliver Cromwell and then the Restoration period up to 1688. Students will then study the British Empire and its impact on the world. This will lead onto a study of the transatlantic slave trade and the abolition of slavery. Students will then learn about the causes of the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the face of Britain, ending with the Suffragettes and an analysis of the reasons for women gaining the vote in 1918.

Year 9:
Students will begin by studying the complex causes of World War One, including imperialism, the alliance system and militarism and other short-term causes. Students will then look at life in the trenches including key events such as the Battle of the Somme. Students will go on to study the end of World War One and the consequences such as the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and the lasting significance this had on 20^th century history. Having studied the causes of World War One, students will also study the causes of World War Two before focussing on life in Nazi Germany for various groups including Nazi discrimination of the Jews and the Holocaust. After Easter students start their GCSE studies. Students who choose not to study History will follow the same scheme of learning.

KPIs:

Contacts:
For further information/clarification about KS3 History please contact Miss A. Holland