History

“History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

Mark Twain

 

Vision

The History GCSE curriculum has been designed to develop student’s understanding of the breadth and depth of history.  Students use their knowledge and feel empowered by it, allowing them to analyse source material critically.  Through studying a curriculum that balances content and skills, students are equipped for the wider world and students are able to achieve.

 

What can you expect studying History at Tarpoley High School and Sixth Form College

History is vital in the modern world.  Students of history are informed of the past and make critical evaluative judgements of the present.  To support this, GCSE students can expect to:

  • Develop and apply their historical knowledge
  • Engage in specific historical enquiries
  • Develop historical skills to have an awareness of material within the context of the time
  • Have the ability to critically analyse the past, making substantiated claims about it
  • Organise and communicate historical knowledge

 

Key Stage 4 – GCSE Curriculum

We follow the Edexcel GCSE specification.  This includes a thematic study (30%), a period study (20%), a British depth study (20%) and a Modern depth study (30%).  These studies are delivered through studying the following topics:

  • Thematic Study: Medicine in Britain, c1250-present and a case study of The British Sector of the Western Front, 1914-18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.
  • British Depth Study: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-1588.
  • Period Study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-91.
  • Modern Depth Study: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939.

 

How we assess at KS4

Students are assessed via three external examinations at the end of Year 11.  The first assesses the Thematic study, assessing student’s knowledge, skills and on some questions they will be expected to apply these to source material.  The second paper assesses both the British Depth Study and Period Study in one examination, assessing only student’s knowledge and understanding of it, and their skills.  On the final paper, students are assessed on the Modern Depth Study.  Here, the assessments objective is to see how well students can apply their historical knowledge and skills especially in making judgements on historical sources and interpretations.

Throughout Year 10 and Year 11 students will face seen and unseen practice examination questions to support them in applying their learning.  This will also include periods of revision ensuring that students not only understand key content but understand how to revise.

 

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Students have access to a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities in History.  Students can engage with the read, watch, listen programme which looks to extend their learning beyond classroom.  There is also an opportunity to support in-class by visiting Berlin in Year 10.

 

Academic...