History
Our History curriculum equips students with vital knowledge to understand the world today.
Curriculum Intent
We aim to teach adiverse and varied curriculum. We explore significant events, people, themesand experiences from the past to inspire students to become developing criticalthinkers who have the confidence and communication skills to voice their opinionand stand up for what they believe in.
We teach that History is aconstruct, a deliberate storytelling of the past, and encourage students toform their own opinions, question information and engage in debates.
We are working to decolonise the curriculum and weteach our students to spot and challenge discrimination in all its forms. Webelieve in celebrating success and progress in History, and hope our studentsleave our lessons
Key Stage 3
Our curriculum ischronological. In Year 7 we study the Norman invasion and structure ofmediaeval society. The scope then widens to the Silk Roads, before we returnback to England to see how these wider connections caused upheaval through theconsequences of the Black Death.
In year 8 ourstudents look at the significance of the European Reformation in thepost-Renaissance world. We study Enlightenment ideas and how expectations ofrights and freedoms changed during the American, French and Haitianrevolutions. We study abolition and undertake a local study of the impact ofslavery.
In Year 9 studentsexplore women’s suffrage. We uncover a child’s view of WW1 through a Herne Hillmemoir, and this thread of human stories is continued with an examination ofaccounts of the Holocaust.
We end with theswinging sixties, the Brixton riots and life behind the Iron Curtain.
Key Stage 4
Students who studyGCSE History will begin with a study of the First World War. This is anexciting unit which allows for a European dimension, and also gives opportunityfor a residential battlefield trip to France and Belgium. Our study of NaziGermany provides students with an important understanding of democracy andrights.
In Year 11 we moveon to Restoration England. This course is London-centric, and students enjoyexploring these links to their home city. The final topic is a thematic studyof migration to Britain, the British Empire and national identity. This waschosen for the diverse history woven throughout the course.
Key Stage 5
Students who study ALevel History will explore three periods of history in tandem.
The Paper 1 breadthstudy is focused on Tudor England, which holds stories of political andreligious development in a tumultuous period in English history.
The Paper 2 depthstudy concentrates on Russia (1917-53), with a political narrative thatfascinates our students.
Our final courseworkunit looks at the British Empire in Africa, focusing on colonisation,decolonisation, and the imperial legacy for former British colonies. Thisengages students with one of the most fluid and important historical debatescurrently taking place today.
