Years 1-9 (Key Stage 3)
Our new Year 7 pupils study and compare aspect of Roman and Medieval Britain 1066-1500′, which includes an educational visit to Birdoswald Roman Fort and Carlisle Castle. Pupils investigate topics such as the mighty Roman army, the Norman Conquest, the Peasants Revolt, Magna Carta and the Wars of the Roses. We ask some challenging questions about history such as ‘ was the Black Death really all that bad? Pupils develop skills through reviewing evidence as we learn about some of the most engaging and timeless stories in British history such as the ‘Two Princes in the Tower’.
Year 8 spend the whole year focusing on British history from 1500 to 1750. We tackle a number of important historical developments such as the English Reformation, the causes and consequences of the English Civil War and the Interregnum. Pupils are presented with a wealth of exciting and colourful historical material as they develop historical knowledge, understanding and skills. An educational visit to nearby Samlesbury Hall and Hoghton Tower makes history ‘local’ and pupils listen to stories about religious intolerance, Witchcraft and of course, famous ghosts!
Year 9 progress to a study of ‘Britain 1750 to 1900’ in the Autumn term followed by a brief review of the ‘Twentieth Century World history’ and a taste of our GCSE course. Pupils look at a number of fascinating and challenging topics such as Britain’s transatlantic slave trade, women’s suffrage and the Holocaust. The GCSE content includes a review of Race Relations and the Civil Rights Movement in the USA in the 1950s and 60s. Our Year 8 trip to Fulwood Army Barracks in Preston takes pupils back to 1914 in an exciting ‘Call to Arms’ joining up to fight role play day.
Years 10-11 (GCSE)
Examination Board: AQA
Students study the Modern World History course which contains 3 Modules. The first unit investigates the ‘Origins of the Great War’, ‘The failings of the League of Nations’ and ‘Hitler’s foreign policy’. The second unit looks into the ‘Weimar Republic from 1918 to 1933’, ‘Germany under Hitler’s regime’ and the ‘Civil Rights Movement in 1950s USA’. The third unit is a piece of Controlled Assessment on the ‘Home Front during both World Wars’.
Sixth Form (A Level)
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Other information
The History department believes that trips and visits enhance historical understanding. We have been to lots of places of historical interest including: Hadrian’s Wall, The Leeds Armouries, the First World War battlefields in Flanders , Helmshore Textile Museum, Liverpool Maritime Museum, Museum of Lancashire, Thackery Medical Museum, Conwy/ Skipton / Carlisle Castle and Hoghton Tower.
The History department prides itself on the quality of display work in its classrooms. A combination of pupils’ work and other material creates an atmosphere and environment most conducive to learning. The History department also runs lots of ‘history club’ style sessions at lunchtime and organise a very well attended GCSE day revision course during the Easter holidays each year.