Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9), students study one thousand years of history, spanning from the Norman invasion in 1066 to the development of the Cold War. A broad and balanced programme of study is offered and connections between past events and the modern world are made wherever possible.

Topics include:

  • the Norman Invasion in 1066 , the importance of castles for keeping control, the role of the Church in Medieval Britain
  • the religious and political conflicts during the Tudor and Stuart dynasties
  • how the industrial revolution affected Britain
  • a study of peoples’ rights and freedoms, focusing on the Slave Trade
  • Britain and the wider world in the twentieth century, including World War I, World War II and the Holocaust.

 

TermYear 7Year 8Year 9
Term 1Introduction to History- what is History?

A skills based unit, focusing on chronology, causation, significance, interpretations and sources

Anglo-Saxons: Beliefs and Achievements

Britain, 1066-1509

What was it like to live in Britain in 1065? Who should be King in 1066?
How and why did the Normans conquer England?
What happened at the Battle of Hastings?
Why did William win and how did he keep control?
Britain 1509-1745

How ‘bloody’ was Bloody Mary?
What was young Elizabeth like?
What did Elizabeth look like?
Why did Elizabeth kill her cousin?
Why did Phillip of Spain want to attack England?
How and why did England defeat Spain?
Challenges to Britain and the Wider World, 1901-present day

What was it like to live in Britain in 1900?
Why did Europe descend into war in 1914?
Why was WW1 the ‘war to end all wars’?
What was it like to fight in WW1?
Haig- Butcher or Hero?
Who was Walter Tull? Who were ‘all the King’s men’?
Wonder weapons- a necessary development?
Why did some people object to the war?
How did medicine develop in WW1?
Term 2Britain, 1066-1509

How did William keep control (castles & their development)? How important was the Church in Medieval Times?
How did religion affect life in Medieval England?
What did people believe?
Life as a monk
How did religion help medicine in Medieval Britain?
Britain 1509-1745

How successful was Elizabeth?
Who was the ‘scruffy’ Stuart?
Why do we remember the 5th of November?
Were the gunpowder plotters framed?
Why did the English go to war with themselves?
Events and consequences of the English Civil War
Should Charles I have been executed?
How much impact did Oliver Cromwell have on England?
Was Oliver Cromwell a dictator or a protector? Hero or villain?
Challenges to Britain and the Wider World, 1901-present day

How did British women fight for the vote?
What did women do in WW1?
Votes for Women: Suffragists or Suffragettes?
Who were the Suffragettes? Why did Emily die?
The Treaty of Versailles- a good or bad idea?
Why did 60 million people vote for Hitler?
What was it like to live in Nazi Germany?
How did life change in Nazi Germany?
Term 3Britain, 1066-1509

What was a Barber Surgeon?
Islamic Medicine
How did the Black Death affect Medieval England?
Why was Thomas Becket murdered?
Britain 1509-1745

In what ways did Charles II show he was his father’s son?
Early Modern Medicine
Great Fire of London

Britain 1745-1901

How much did Britain change between 1945-1900?
Was the industrial revolution 'disastrous & terrible' (Toynbee) or 'the dawn of liberty' (Griffin)
Why did Britain become Empire builders? Was the Empire a good thing?
Did life improve during 1745-1900?
Industrial Revolution- how did the Industrial Revolution create towns, change transport in Britain and improve/worsen public health?
How did the Industrial Revolution protect children in the end?
Cholera case study – how similar was the cholera epidemic to the Black Death?
How did Jon Snow improve lives?
Challenges to Britain and the Wider World, 1901-present day

Why did war break out in 1939 and how did it change the world?
Was Dunkirk a success or organised chaos?
Battle of Britain, D-Day as case studies
Term 4Britain, 1066-1509

King John- was he a bad King?
Magna Carta
Britain 1745-1900

Popular protest- does it ever work? Who were the Chartists?
Agricultural Revolution- how did farming change?
Was enclosure a good thing?
Review:
Was the industrial revolution 'disastrous & terrible' (Toynbee) or 'the dawn of liberty' (Griffin)
Challenges to Britain and the Wider World, 1901-present day

Did the nuclear bomb save lives?
Why should we remember the Holocaust?
Term 5Britain, 1066-1509

The Black Death Medicine and the Black Death
The Peasant’s Revolt The Wars of the Roses
Britain 1745-1901 & Black Peoples of the Americas: From enslavement to emancipation to equal rights?

How did ‘white gold’ make Britain rich and to what cost?
A study of African kingdoms including Mali and Benin
Why were African people enslaved?
Enslavement in the Caribbean and the Americas.
Uprisings in the Caribbean; life as an enslaved person; work of the Abolitionists;
Life as an enslaved person
Were enslaved people truly free after the Emancipation Declaration?
The American Civil War- a chance to free enslaved people or a chance to recruit more soldiers?
Challenges to Britain and the Wider World, 1901-present day

Why should we remember the Holocaust?
Who was Nicholas Winton?
What is it like to live in Britain 100 years after the First World War?
How did medical treatments change?
Term 6Britain 1509-1745

What was Britain like in 1509?
What was Henry VIII like?
Henry VIII and his problems
Why did Henry break with Rome?
Edward VI – the boy king
Black Peoples of the Americas: From enslavement to emancipation to equal rights?
Sharecropping-enslavement by a different name?
Who were the Abolitionists?
Who were the early civil rights groups & how effective were they?
How civil were the civil rights protests?
Why did Rosa Parks refuse to stand up?
How important was Martin Luther King?
What was the Cold War? Why did the world turn ‘cold’ after WW2?

Key Stage 4

At GCSE (from September 2016), students study a mixture of modern world history, which gives them an understanding of the world in which they live, plus an in-depth study of Elizabethan England, which covers both social and political history plus a study of a historical site as provided by the exam board.

Students also study a history of medicine from the year 1,000 to the current day, with a particular focus on how this has affected the health of the people of Britain and will cover war and medicine, individuals and medicine plus developments in vaccinations and surgery. The department follows the AQA GCSE course and the topics are:

  • Elizabethan England
  • Britain: Health and the people 1000-the present day
  • Modern World : America 1920-73
  • War in Asia 1950-75

In September 2016 new GCSEs were introduced along with a new grading system. The grid below shows how the GCSE grades will be awarded from 2018 onwards.

History GCSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KS4 AQA GCSE History (8145): Timetable

 

 

Key Stage 5

At A-Level the History Department offers the AQA A-Level. We study two periods of History; the Tudors and Modern American History.

In Year 12 students learn about how the Tudors consolidated their power with a focus on Henry VII and Henry VIII. In Year 13 students learn about the Mid-Tudor Crisis of 1547-1547 and the Triumph of Elizabeth, 1563-1603.

Students also study the American Dream: Reality & Illusion, 1845-1980 with a focus in Year 12 on the presidencies of Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. In Year 13 students will focus on the challenges to the American Dream and Johnson’s Presidency of 1963-68 as well as Nixon and Republican reaction as well as America after Nixon.

In Year 13 students also conduct a Historical Investigation of their choice and which covers 100 years of History. This essay is between 3000-3500 words in length and is worth 20% of the A’Level.

Tudors 1C: Year 12 Tudors 1C: Year 13
Term 1: Henry VII What do the events of 1485 tell us about the character and aims of Henry Tudor? How did Henry Tudor consolidate power? Was Henry Tudor ‘Hanging by a thread’? Rebellions and reform of government. How did Henry reform government? Did Henry die Rich? Which countries were likely to be important to Henry’s Foreign Policy objectives? Term 1: Mid Tudor Crisis Why was there opposition to Mary’s accession? Why was there opposition to her personally? How far were Mary’s problems in government entirely of her own making? Did Mary’s foreign policy serve the interests of Philip rather than England’s? How Catholic was England by 1558? What impact did the Wyatt rebellion have? How far did the government respond to the challenge of economic change?
Term 2: Henry VII To what extent had Foreign Policy changed by 1509? Was England a more powerful country? How and why did the structure of society change? Had society become more peaceful and stable during Henry VII’s reign? How much did the economy change? Was the church in need of reform? Where was the greatest change 1485-1509? Term 2: Mid Tudor Crisis How does Elizabeth’s early life shape her reign? Why is Elizabeth reluctant to marry? How far is Elizabeth pushed into the events of 1559? How far did religious change affect the position of the bishops and the clergy? To what extent was there a ‘Puritan Choir’ in Parliament? How effective was Elizabeth’s use of Patronage to control the court?
Term 3: Henry VIII What problem would be the most difficult to address for Henry VIII? Who was Henry? Is it simply ‘Henry VIII the misogynist?’ Was the rise of Wolsey a result of his own efforts? Anne Boleyn: How far was she the instigator of change? Was the break with Rome driven by ‘Divorce, Doctrine or Dosh’? How far did Wolsey serve the interests of the king as opposed to his own? To what extent did Cromwell bring about a revolution in government? Term 3: Elizabeth I What were Elizabeth’s aims for foreign policy? Why did relationships with Spain break down? Why did the Spanish Armada fail? To what extent was Mary, Queen of Scots a threat to Elizabeth? How successful was Elizabeth’s policy towards Scotland? To what extent was there a genuine problem with the poor? Was there the ending of Tudor inflation? What were causes of rebellion under Elizabeth? Were any a genuine threat to Elizabeth?
Term 4: Henry VIII How far had royal government changed since 1485? How did Europe change in Henry VIII’s reign? How far did Foreign Policy objectives change since the reign of Henry VII? Were Henry VIII’s Foreign policy aims ‘consistent’? How was society affected by Henry VIII’s reign? How far is the oppositional thesis a valid one? To what extent were rebellions in Henry VIII’s reign caused by different issues? Term 4: Elizabeth I How far is there evidence of economic distress in the last years of Elizabeth’s reign? How did Elizabeth deal with the challenge from Puritans/ Presbytarians/ Roman Catholicism? To what extent was Elizabeth’s church the save by the end of her reign? Was Elizabeth’s reign a ‘Golden Age’ of culture? How does the image of ‘Gloriana’ change over time? How significant are Elizabeth’s last years?
Term 5: Henry VIII How far was trading reform driven by a desire to improve the economy? Was the church in need of reform by 1529? How did worship and custom change? What was the impact of the dissolution of the monasteries? Was there more continuity than change in religion/finance/economy/foreign policy?

 

Revision

Term 5: Overview & Revision

Including:

How was the realm different in 1603 from how it had been in 1485? What had been the key achievements of the Tudor Dynasty and which king / individual had done most to achieve this? How far had there been consistent change? What were the periods of most dramatic change? What had not changed?  What problems remained by 1603?

Term 6: Mid Tudor Crisis What is the ‘Mid Tudor Crisis’? Somerset & the Protectorate 1547-9: Continuity or Change? Why was Somerset arrested in 1549? What were the reasons and consequences for Northumberland’s rise? What was England’s international position in 1547? How far was Somerset’s Foreign Policy drive by Henry VIII? How far was Northumberland’s policy driven by appeasement? How did rebellions differ in Edward’s reign? How far Protestant was England by 1553?

 


KS5 – American History

America 1945-1980; 2Q: Year 12

 

America 1945-1980; 2Q: Year 13
Term 1: Truman & Post –war America, 1945-52

How powerful was the President? How is America governed? What is the American Dream? How did America prosper after WW2? What caused America’s economic growth after WW2?How was America divided in terms of rural v urban, north v south, west coast v east, gender divisions, ethnic divisions? What was the regional and ethnic makeup of the USA?

What was Truman’s character & policies? How did USA ensure post-war peace making contained communism? What was the impact of the Long telegram? What was the Truman doctrine/Marshall Aid? How did the USA respond to the rise of communism in Asia?

Term 1: Johnson Presidency 1963-68

What was the Johnson technique? What problems did LBJ face when he became president? How did the JFK legacy affect his presidency? What was LBJ’s great Society? How successful was it? What economic developments were there under LBJ? How and why did the war in Vietnam escalate? How did USA’s tactics alienate both home & abroad? Who opposed the war? How did relations between the USA & its Western allies develop/become strained under LBJ? What was the legacy of Vietnam on LBJ?

 

Term 2: Truman & Post –war America, 1945-52

What were the key economic  developments  under Truman (both positive & negative)?

Why did Truman win the 1948 election? How widespread was the fear of communism in America at this time? Why was McCarthy able to cause such alarm in the USA? How did the trials of Hiss and the Rosenbergs affect America? How did the WW2 affect African-Americans? What was the Double V campaign? How did Truman help African Americans after the war? What was the significance of the GI Bill? What were the key court cases of the NACCP from 1945-53? How had economic/social conditions in the South changed by 1953?

Term 2: Johnson Presidency 1963-68

How did the Civil Rights Movement develop under LBJ? How did events impact upon LBJ? What key legislation did LBJ pass regarding civil rights and how did it impact on African Americans lives? Was LBJ motivated by moral or political concerns? What impact did the urban riots have on the USA? Did the riots happen due to the same combination of reasons? What was the long-term impact on Detroit? What was the impact of urban riots on the Civil Rights Movement?

Term 3: Eisenhower, 1952-60

What made Eisenhower such a popular candidate? What was the policy of ‘dynamic conservatism’? Why had the Republican been out of power for 20 years? How important was Nixon as Vice-President? Why did McCarthyism end? What threat did communism pose to America by 1953? How successfully did Eisenhower handle McCarthy? What caused the growth in the American economy in the 1950s? What & why did changes take place in American society in the 1950s? What was the impact of the consumer society on the USA? Who benefitted from the consumer society? What were the strengths & weaknesses of Eisenhower’s economic policies?

Term 3: Johnson Presidency 1963-68

How did social divisions and protest movements impact the USA? What were the causes of the unrest? What does the nature of US student protest say about the USA as a whole?  How radical were some civil rights groups? How similar was the Women’s Rights Movement to the Civil Rights Movement? What were the arguments for /against women’s rights? Why did feminism emerge in the 1960s rather than after WW2? How did this change the American Dream?

 

Nixon Presidency 1968-74

Did Nixon win or did the Democrats lose? Who and what were the key personalities & policies of the Nixon administration? How did Nixon appeal to the Silent Majority? How did Nixon respond to protest movements and forces of social change? How important was the Civil Rights Movement under Nixon? What was the short/long term impact of the Roe v Wade case? How did Nixon respond to anti-Vietnam protests

Term 4: Eisenhower, 1952-60

How did Eisenhower react to key events in the Cold War? What was Eisenhower’s containment policy? How did it differ from Truman’s foreign policy? How was the cold war affected by Stalin’s death? How did the USA-USSR rivalry manifest itself? Why was Asia important to the USA? What actions did Eisenhower take in Korea? What were the log-term implications of the division of Korea? What happened in Taiwan & Vietnam? Was Eisenhower’s foreign policy hypocritical in Asia? What problems did Eisenhower face in the Middle East? How appropriate was it for Eisenhower to use the CIA in Iran in 1953? What effect did the Suez crisis have on Anglo-US relations?

Term 4:

What economic problems faced Nixon? What were the causes/possible solutions? What was ‘Nixonomics’ and how successful was it? What were the strengths/weaknesses of Nixon’s reforms? How difficult was it for Nixon to resolve Vietnam? How did Kissinger influence US policy towards the USSR, Latin America & China? What role did the CIA play in Latin America? How did Nixon’s visit to China affect the Cold War? What role did cultural/technological rivalry play in the Cold War? What was Watergate & how did it lead to the end of Nixon’s Presidency? What was Nixon’s political legacy?

Term 5: Eisenhower, 1952-60

What were the key events in the development of civil rights in Eisenhower’s presidency? How did Eisenhower’s public/private attitude to civil rights? What were the key civil rights events under Eisenhower? Who contributed more to civil rights legislation: Truman or Eisenhower? What was the importance of the Southern Manifesto? Who was Herblock?

Revision

JFK & the New Frontier 1960-63

Why did JFK win the 1960 election? Did JFK win or did Nixon lose? What problems did JFK face when he became President? What were the ideas behind the New Frontier? Which groups were helped by the New Frontier? What legislation did JFK introduce & who did it help? Why was the Space Race so important?  How did Khrushchev view Kennedy? Had the USA’s influence declined since 1945? What internal/external pressures were on JFK? How did JFK deal with the Berlin crisis?

Term 5:  Ford & Carter, 1974-80 & Revision

How did Ford & Carter respond to social divisions? How did they approach the issues of corruption and loss of national self-confidence?

How did the USA finally withdraw from Vietnam? What were the consequences both domestically & internationally? How did Ford & Carter deal with the major communist powers?  Did the Iran hostage crisis destroy Carter’s presidency? How did Carter respond to crises in the Middle East, Iran & Afghanistan? Had the presidency ceased to be important for the campaign for rights? How had the South changed by 1980? Had the world become a safer place since 1945? How was America stronger economically, militarily, culturally since 1945? Why was Reagan elected to the Presidency in 1980/ Was Reagan the embodiment of the American Dream?

Term 6: JFK & the New Frontier 1960-63

How did JFK deal with the challenge of Castro’s Cuba? Who won the Missile Crisis? Why did JFK get involved in Cuba? How did JFK deepen America’s involvement in Vietnam? Did JFK fulfil his promises as regards Civil Rights? What were the key civil rights events during JFK’s presidency? How did JFK’s public/private views on civil rights differ? How important was the media in helping minority groups gain attention? Who opposed the Civil Rights Movement (including within the Democratic party)? Did the methods of opposition groups help or aid the Civil Rights Movement? Can JFK’s economic policy be judged a success in such a short timeframe? Did JFK genuinely bring a new kind of appeal to voters? What was JFK’s relationship with unions & business? How did counter-culture change USA society by 1963?

Had the USA’s power increased/declined by 1963? Which President was most successful in international relations? How powerful was the USA by 1963? How effective was USA’s influence over the UN, NATO, CENTO, SEATO?

How far did the idea of the ‘American Dream’ influence presidential policies? What were the key turning- points in the development of post-war USA?