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Higham Lane School

Higham Lane School

History

History FAQs

What will I learn?

In KS3 we cover a broad period of History to give you contextual awareness of a range of periods.  From the Romans and their impact on Britain to the developments of the 20th Century and how they affect society today.  We have something for everyone!

At KS4 we study Crime and Punishment through time, Elizabeth I, Nazi Germany and the Cold War.  The curriculum again covers a range of periods of time to suit all interests.

At KS5 we study The Tudors and America 1945-1980, both modules look at these periods of time in depth and detail.  As well as this you will conduct a personal study on a topic of your choice!

 

What Extra-Curricular activities do we offer?

A wide range of activities and clubs.  We have a KS3 History club where we meet do a range of activities such as focus on interpretations in historical films.  We run a range of homework projects and competitions at KS3 to explore history outside the classroom.

We also run a range of trips to help bring history to life. We look at the local area such as Bosworth, Warwick Castle, Black Country Museum, as well as venturing further afield to London, New York, Washington and Berlin!

 

What’s your favourite part of History?

Mrs Doyne-Ditmas: My absolute favourite period is The Tudors, especially Elizabeth I.  I love the drama of the family relationships as well as understanding the significance of the period for years to come.  I also find Elizabeth I fascinating – girl power all the way!

Mr Ireland: My favourite period in History is The Crusades, in particular The First Crusade. I find it fascinating that an event that started nearly one thousand years ago has so many parallels with events in the Middle East today.

Mr Goldstraw: My favourite period is the English Civil War and the Interregnum. I love the fact that the parliament of the people rose up, removed a corrupt King and changed this country for ever. Abroad – I am fascinated by the Russian Revolution which is very similar and the relationships between European powers.

Oh and one more thing – I love visiting castles.

 

We are a highly-successful Department with four dedicated specialist teaching staff. All students receive three lessons per fortnight in History in Key Stage 3. We have an exciting fast-paced curriculum that builds students' knowledge, confidence, skills and chronological understanding in History.

Students will experience a range of teaching strategies, which aim to encourage them to be independent learners. Key Stage 3 History homework grids provide the students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning at home and allow for parents/guardians to become directly involved in students' learning.

Topics studied at Key Stage 3 include: the Medieval Times, the Industrial Revolution, World War One, World War Two and the Holocaust. At Key Stage 3 there is a clear focus on developing the `skills' of History and students will work with historical sources at every opportunity to build an understanding of the subject.

History is offered as an Option at GCSE and we currently follow Edexcel's `9-1' course. Topics the students will cover include a thematic study of crime and punishment c1000-present; a study of early Elizabethan England 1558-88; and an investigation into the American West 1835-1895.

Year 7 Curriculum

Topics studies in Year 7 include:

  • Introducing historical skills through the Romans.
  • British diversity.
  • D-Day v Hastings: A comparative study.
  • Who has been the greatest monarch?
  • Tudor life.
  • Power of religion.
  • Should Charles I have been executed?

Year 8 Curriculum

Topics studies in Year 8 include:

  • Child labour and public health in the 19th century.
  • The Gunpowder Plot - a conspiracy.
  • Who was Jack the Ripper?
  • Why did Britannia rule the waves?
  • Why did the world come to war?
  • Girl power: Votes for women.
  • How and why have people been treated differently?

Year 9 Curriculum

The GCSE course provides a broad overview of key events from a range of time periods and it opens the fields of social, economic, political, military and cultural history to students. The course develops students' analysis, evaluation and research skills, all of which are invaluable to future colleges, universities and employers. Pupils at GCSE level will be supported with a fully comprehensive revision programme.

In Year 9 we start the GCSE course with:

  • Crime and punishment 1000-present. A look at how crime and punishment has changed over time with a case study on Whitechapel and Jack the Ripper.

Year 10 Curriculum

In Year 10, we will look at:

  • Elizabethan England 1558-88 and American West 1835-1895. Evaluating key events in each time period to develop key themes and problems.

Year 11 Curriculum

In Year 11, we will finish with:

  • Germany 1918-1945. Evaluating how Germany dealt with the aftermath of World War One, how Hitler came to power and what life was like under his control.

Year 12 and Year 13 Curriculum

The A-level course follows the AQA exam board. Students study:

  • Tudor England.
  • The American Dream.

In addition, they will also focus on a personal study of their choice.

Extra-curricular Activities

The History Department will offer a series of exciting extra-curricular opportunities, including a debating club and an opportunity for an overnight stay in London on the Jack the Ripper Tour. We are committed to offering trips which complement students' studies with opportunities in each year group. For example, Year 7 will be able visit Warwick Castle, Year 8 will be able to visit a Terrible Tudors show, and Year 9 will be able to visit the Imperial War Museum, London. Year 13 have the opportunity to travel to America and visit the historical and political sights of Washington and New York.

H DOYNE-DITMAS, Subject Leader for History