Key Stage 3
Year 7
The aim of the department is to develop both core historical skills as well as enthusiasm for the subject. History at Saltash Community School takes a thematic approach, within which there is a chronological framework to support students overall understanding of change and continuity through time. We focus on the skills of extended writing, source analysis and interpretation, all of which are requirements at GCSE and A level. Each half term students have a core assessment covering one of these skills, as illustrated below.
Homework within History is in the form of a point’s accumulator. Students will be given a set number of points to achieve which is based on their target levels. They will be able to select the activities that they wish to complete in order to achieve that number of points by the set date. Other homework may be set at different times as appropriate.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
|---|---|---|
| Changing Lives and Changing Attitudes: Daily Lives. | Power, conflict and co-operation: Rulers. | Civilisation and Empires: Islam and the Wider World. |
| Why do we remember some people more than others? What can medieval deaths tell us about Medieval Lives? What did we do before the Xbox 360? What is all the fuss about the Industrial Revolution? | 1066; Who Cares? How did Elizabeth deal with her problems of power? | Why did people go on the Crusades? Richard or Saladin: who was the better leader? What was life in Baghdad like? |
| Assessment | Assessment | Assessment |
| The Bodies in the field mystery - sources Tudor and Stuart Entertainment Guide - independent enquiry. | What changes happened between 1750 and 1900? Structured essay. Why did William win the battle of Hastings? Structured Essay | What makes the Greatest leader? Interpretations. Richard or Saladin? Sources. |
Year 8
The aim of the department is to develop both core historical skills as well as enthusiasm for the subject. History at Saltash Community School takes a thematic approach, within which there is a chronological framework to support students overall understanding of change and continuity through time. We focus on the skills of extended writing, source analysis and interpretation, all of which are requirements at GCSE and A level. Each half term students have a core assessment covering one of these skills, as illustrated below.
Homework within History is in the form of a point’s accumulator. Students will be given a set number of points to achieve which is based on their target levels. They will be able to select the activities that they wish to complete in order to achieve that number of points by the set date. Other homework may be set at different times as appropriate.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
|---|---|---|
| Why did the Medieval Church matter so much? If the Medieval Church mattered so much, why did it change? Would you have survived in Britain before 1861? What frightened people in the 17th century? Did the Scientific Revolution help or hinder medicine? | Why was England at war in 1642? What was life like in the Civil War? Why did we execute our king? The French Revolution: Did it change France? What can music tell us about the twentieth century? | Should we apologise for the Slave Trade? How free were the slaves after 1865? |
| Assessment | Assessment | Assessment |
| Henry VIII's break from Rome _ causation newspaper. Fear in the 17th century _ sources. | Why was there a civil War in England in 1642? Structured Essay. Life during the English Civil War _ independent enquiry. | Life on the Plantation _ sources. Empire plate _ interpretations. |
Year 9
The aim of the department is to develop both core historical skills as well as enthusiasm for the subject. History at Saltash Community School takes a thematic approach, within which there is a chronological framework to support students overall understanding of change and continuity through time. We focus on the skills of extended writing, source analysis and interpretation, all of which are requirements at GCSE and A level. Each half term students have a core assessment covering one of these skills, as illustrated below.
Homework within History is in the form of a point’s accumulator. Students will be given a set number of points to achieve which is based on their target levels. They will be able to select the activities that they wish to complete in order to achieve that number of points by the set date. Other homework may be set at different times as appropriate.
| Autumn Term Changing Lives and Attitudes: Moving Stories | Spring Term Power, conflict and co-operation: The impact of war | Summer Term Civilisations and Empires |
|---|---|---|
| Why don’t the Chinese play cricket? The British Empire Who did the most for me? Political Rights | Why did war break out in 1914? Life in World War One The rise of dictators | WWII, why was Hitler so popular in Germany? The Holocaust: Why should we remember? |
| Assessment | Assessment | Assessment |
| Historical interpretations of the Empire The Suffragettes: Source assessment | Why did War break out in 1914? Explanation essay Independent Enquiry into rise of dictators. | Sources analysis: Life in Nazi Germany Evaluation of historical interpretation: ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’. |
KEY STAGE 4
Year 10 and 11
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History
The units selected for the GCSE History course offer students a range of topics together with a wide timespan from Elizabethan England to more
modern day with Medicine. The focus is on developing historical skills as well as gaining knowledge covering topics not previously studied in depth.
Students are provided with an opportunity to study political and social history which covers both national and international aspects.
You will study:
| Unit Name | Content | Weighting | Assessment structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: British Thematic Study with Historical Environment | Medicine in Britain, 1250 to the present day WITH Surgery and treatment on the Western Front 1914 – 1918. Addresses the issue of change and continuity in medicine from 1250 with a special focus on surgery during World War One. What ideas did people in the past have about the cause of ill health, and what cures did they use? What factors brought about progress, and what was the rate of change? What impact did medical change have on the rest of society? | 30% | Exam 1 hr 15 mins. Part A is source based and Part B extended written answers. |
| Paper 2: British depth and period study. | Early Elizabethan England, 1558 – 88 AND The American West c1835-1895: The way in which the American West was settled and developed by different groups, and the impact that this had on the Native American people. Why were people willing to risk all to settle in the unknown, and how did they overcome the problems they encountered? What were the consequences of the clash of cultures and lifestyles? | The two parts of this paper are worth 20% each. | Exam 1hr 45 mins and broken into two parts. Both are written short and extended answers. |
| Paper 3: Modern Depth Study. | Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918 – 39. Examines Weimar Germany and its problems, the reasons for its collapse and the development of the Nazi State. Examines how the Nazis were able to keep control of Germany through the use of terror and propaganda. | 30% | Exam 1hr 20 mins. Source based questions. |
The History Department has always placed a high value on study outside of the classroom. Our GCSE students are offered a study visit to London
in the past.
The study of History is an excellent base for a balanced student because:
- History helps to develop an awareness of the past and the part it plays in today’s world.
- History develops sound logical thinking and the ability to make informed judgements.
- Historical topics relate to Science, Technology, Politics, Sociology, Media and Geography.
- History involves a variety of teaching approaches.
- History develops skills of research and essay-writing valued both in post-16 education and in the world of work.
- History has been a popular choice over the past ten years at both GCSE and A Level.
GCSE Resources
GCSE exam paper revision technique 4 mark to 16 mark questions
Weimar and Nazi Germany: Knowledge Organiser, parts 1-4
American West: Knowledge Organiser, parts 1-3 and Revision Notes
Medicine: Knowledge Organiser, parts 1-5 and Western Front revision booklet
Elizabethan England: Elizabethan England: Revision Guide
Key Stage 5
Year 12 & 13: (Sixth Form)
EXAMINATION BOARD
AQA
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS SUBJECT?
The study of History offers a unique perspective on the world by studying its relatively recent past. The course covers aspects of political, social and economic history with a focus on student involvement as well as independent study. By the end of your course you will have learned how to communicate complex ideas effectively, to evaluate and analyse information, together with weighing up information. These skills are recognised and valued by employers, universities and colleges.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Normally, students will have gained a minimum grade 4 in GCSE History. Students who have not studied GCSE History may be considered, but will normally be expected to have a grade 6 or above in GCSE English.
YOU WILL STUDY
Year 12
• Breadth paper – Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855-1917
• Depth paper – The Making of Modern Britain, 1951 – 1979
Year 13
• Breadth paper – Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1917-1964
• Depth paper – the Making of Modern Britain, 1979- 2007
• Personal study – students own choice to cover a period of 100 years, with a write up of 3,000-3,500 words containing evidence of source use.
YOU WILL LEARN
• About the significance of events, individuals, and societies in history.
• Concepts of change and continuity.
• To understand the nature of historical evidence focusing on analysis, interpretation and evaluation.
• To express your own views and historical ideas confidently and effectively.
ASSESSMENT
There are two exams, taken at the end of Year 13
• Paper 1: Tsarist and Communist Russia: 2 hours 15 minutes, 40% of final grade.
• Paper 2: the Making of Modern Britain: 2 hours 15 minutes, 40% of final grade.
The personal study counts for 20% of the A Level.
CAREERS AND UNIVERSITY PATHWAYS
• To continue studying History at university or related subjects such as Politics, English Literature, Economics or Journalism.
• The study of History at A Level develops a number of skills relevant for a range of employers. These skills include the ability to research, analyse and present arguments which are well supported.
