History Key Stage 3

history5 Ways to support your child

  • Encourage your child to complete homework tasks to the very best of their ability.
  • Your child should explain events from the past, not just describe them.
  • Young Historians should have confidence in making their own judgments about the past.
  • Your child should focus on making sure their answers are always supported by clear evidence.
  • Historians should question where they get their evidence from and decide whether they should be trusted or not.

Year 7 Curriculum Overview

In year 7, our learners investigate People, Beliefs, Power and Democracy.

Initially they study What is History? Here they are encouraged to consider why the study of History is important and work on developing key skills such as chronological understanding, how to examine evidence effectively and historical key terms. Learners then use these skills to investigate How did William of Normandy Conquer and keep control of England? This is a fascinating investigation into the last ever invasion of Great Britain and the implications it had for our society. Learners build upon this knowledge and study What was life like in Medieval Britain? Here, students learn about the origins of key aspects of British Society, studying the development of democracy through the study of King John and the Magna Carta, the Peasant’s Revolt and the growth of Christianity and religious beliefs. They then use this understanding to develop empathy for people who lived in Medieval England. Finally, students carry out an investigation into Tudor England and the significance of key individuals such as Henry VIII.

Year 8 Curriculum Overview

In year 8, students investigate the History of War and Conflict. From September to February they study the Industrial Revolution and the First World War. This includes, How did Britain become an Industrial power? This involves studying the changes that happened in population, transport, industry and medicine between 1750 and 1900. How did the British Empire Grow? This focuses on understanding how the Industrial Revolution led to Britain being a world power and British culture influencing events in countries across the globe. What were the Origins and key events of the First World War? This includes how the First World War started, why people joined the army, key battles and events of the war, life in the trenches for soldiers and war poetry. During term 2 and 3, students learn about the Origins of the Second World War, How did Adolf Hitler rise to power in Germany? Key events and Battles of WW2 and the debate surrounding the dropping of the Nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. A key element of this module is the students’ study of the Holocaust which we believe is an extremely important facet of studying History. Learners engage in wide-ranging moral debates about the significance of such a shocking and important event and we encourage our learners to think deeply about their moral, spiritual and cultural beliefs about this topic.

Homework/Extra-curriculur overview

Students complete homework in History on a fortnightly basis and their tasks are highly relevant and wide ranging. Students create newspaper articles, design comic strips, write historical letters, design posters, design historical guidebooks and complete extended writing tasks (to name just a small selection of activities).

Throughout the year we also set a few monthly projects which are designed to extend the learner’s desire for independent learning. In year 7 students complete the Castle Building Project where they learn about the specifics of castle design and visit Beeston Castle in Cheshire. After which they design and build their very own model castle and a historical guidebook that explains to fictional visitors why the castle was designed this way. In year 8, learners complete the Boteler Old Boys Project. In this fascinating investigation, learners research former pupils of the Boteler Grammar School who fought and died in WW1. They produce incredible projects in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, from replica/fictional diaries and collections of letters to large scale academic research projects. Every two years, we offer our students the opportunity to extend this learning further and visit the WW1 battlefields of Belgium and France. Here they can truly experience history outside the classroom and connect with the Boteler old boys in a profound and deep manner as they visit their graves/memorials and walk through the battle sites at which they died.

cURRICULUM-GOBACK