History

Course Overview

History is delivered across all three key stages and is extremely popular with students opting to take it at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 in large numbers. History provides an opportunity for pupils to discover how the world in which they live evolved. It gives a sense of purpose and understanding to their surroundings and enables them to appreciate the origins of the many political and social issues which they come across through the news, on a daily basis. The pursuit of history also helps develop life-long skills which can be used in other subjects and situations, enabling historians to ask pertinent questions, to process information and to express opinions effectively.

Year 7 topics

The Romans
The Vikings
Medieval England
Tudor Monarchs and their religious and political Significance
The Stuarts

Year 8 Topics

The Industrial Revolution, Slavery and the Empire
World War One
Interwar Years
World War Two

Year 9 Topics:

Holocaust and other Genocides and persecution
Olympics in History
Civil Rights
Events C20th
Whitechapel and Context.

GCSE course

Germany 1H10/31 Edexcel
Crime and Punishment 1H10/10 - Whitechapel specialist unit
The Cold War -1945-1991 1H10/ P4 Edexcel
Anglo Saxons and Normans 1H10/B

A level Courses/Topics

Year 12

Britain from 1783 to 1832 – Industrialisation and the people
Russia 1917 to 1929 – Revolution and dictatorship

Year 13

Britain from 1783 to 1885
Russia from 1917 to 1953
The Arab-Israeli conflict 1908 to 2008 (Historical Investigation)

Revision Support

Germany

Why choose the subject?

The teachers at Charles Darwin School are passionate and enthusiastic about their subject
History helps you discover how your world evolved
You develop the skills to look beyond the headlines, to ask questions and to express your own opinions
History is fun - a form of time travel which creates rounded individuals with an understanding of both the past and the present
History is highly regarded amongst universities, colleges and employers. It is considered a valuable avenue to numerous careers including journalism, politics, media, law and the police

Common Questions

Q. Do I have to do History at KS4?
A. With the Government finally recognising the importance of history and the skills it develops, it is now being considered a key subject and is as valuable as the core subjects. In nearly every European country it is compulsory until the age of 16.

Q. Is there a lot of reading needed in the subject?
A. History is a subject in which reading can be a joy. It is not just about reading books on history, but about reading books that are set in the past. Some are some terrific historical novels and many books written for children which enable youngsters today to access the history curriculum whilst giving them a love of the subject.

Q. Is there a lot of essay writing in history?
A. An essential ingredient of history is the ability to organise material and to express oneself effectively. Good English skills and a wide vocabulary are therefore important. History complements English and vice versa

Who will teach me?