History

INTENT

The History Department at St Anthony’s consists of nine enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers who are all keen to share their expertise. As a department we pride ourselves on the range of topics we cover, with students learning about the past from Prehistoric man right through to the present day. We are a popular option block, with many girls choosing to continue History through Key Stage 4 and also Key Stage 5; many of our past students have gone on to study the subject at university. All of our teachers are passionate about what they do, and present History pupils will attest that lessons are challenging, interactive and overall a lot of fun. We like to bring History alive through drama activities, and use lots of primary evidence to help us to understand and make sense of the past. There is something for everyone in History lessons, whether it be the subjects we teach or the way in which they are taught, we are certain that all pupils have an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

We aim to develop students who can

  • be stimulated through outstanding teaching and encouraged to desire a greater knowledge and understanding of all historical periods.
  • build narratives about the past based upon historically accurate knowledge
  • continually to challenge accepted thinking and suggest alternatives through varying interpretations
  • appreciate a diversity of opinions in world views and challenge worldviews which promote racism, ignorance and religious hatred from a historical standpoint.
  • have an awareness of race, gender, sexuality and other forms of discrimination as a historical issue.
  • relate the knowledge gained through Historical to current affairs.
  • understand the significance of cause and effect in the short and long term
  • feel confident in debating complex and challenging topics.

 

KS3 History is made up of learning about lots of different aspects of the past. We begin by studying the conquest of Britannia by the Romans. We study resistance against this and pivotal figures involved in this resistance. Next we study the relationship between rulers and those they ruled and begin a long study of how those in power control the powerless. This theme develops across KS3. We also study history from the bottom up, meaning we study the daily lives of ordinary people in the past. Many students come to us with an interest in History but little real knowledge of how people lived. We look at how towns grew, how health was affected, what people did for entertainment and at issues such as the development of crime and punishment. In years 8 and 9 we continue to study the growth of civil and political rights and how those who lacked power slowly began to take back control. Here we study slavery and the British Empire, the development of political rights for women and civil rights for those descended from enslaved people. In year 9 we take this theme of the powerless in History and study the narrative of how medicine developed over time. We focus on how those who for so long were powerless in the face of disease began to fight back through scientific breakthroughs. We like to include a lot of local History in our lessons. Did you know that one of the reasons for the rivalry between Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United was the English Civil War of the 17th Century? Or that the first person to die of the disease Cholera before it spread around the country came from Sunderland?

KS4 History focuses on several main studies. The first is the development of medicine through time, beginning with Prehistoric man and ending with medical challenges facing the world today. In between we focus on the development in understanding and treating disease, how surgery has improved, and why public health has got better. We investigate reasons for the progress and changes and study key individuals driving medical change. Following this we study Anglo-Saxon and Norman England with a focus on how William I maintained control over England after the invasion. The second study is more in depth and focuses on Germany throughout the years 1919 to 1945. This covers the signing of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I, Weimar Germany, the Rise of the Nazi Party, the consolidation of Hitler’s power and then life in Nazi Germany. Pupils find this topic very interesting and it never fails to engross students who are keen to ask questions and find out more. Our final KS4 topic focuses on the Cold War; how the world descended into tension following WW2 and how close the world was to global conflict over the next 50 years. We study the arms race and the growing tension between the USA and the USSR and analyse how both sides attempted to constantly outmanoeuvre one another. At KS4 we follow the Edexcel exam board.

A large number of pupils opt to take History at KS5 at St Anthony’s. We have two classes who are both taught by experienced teachers and we are very proud of our consistently excellent results. In Y12 pupils are given the opportunity to study Revolutionary Russia (1917-1953). In Y13 pupils continue their study of the USSR right up until the death of Stalin. Don’t worry, even if you have never done a History GCSE the course is accessible and designed for no previous knowledge. We also focus on England between the years of 1485 and 1529, focussing on the early Tudor monarchs. In Y13 pupils are given the opportunity to develop their own research and analysis skills through completing a piece of coursework which they are fully responsible for. They study the reasons why women gained greater political rights over the 19th and 20th century. The aim of the coursework is to have an extended answer which argues in favour of the main reason women have achieved greater rights over time. In Y13 pupils study the rest of the Tudors; Edward VI, Mary I and –arguably the greatest ever British monarch- Elizabeth I. Pupils cannot fail to be enthused by such interesting topics, and we are confident that all students have the best possible experience in all of our lessons. We follow the AQA syllabus for our three components.

IMPLEMENTATION

History Implementation Documentation Y7

History Implementation Documentation Y8

History Implementation Documentation Y9

History Implementation Documentation Y10

History Implementation Documentation Y11

History Implementation Documentation Y12

Y12 History Implementation Tudors

Y12 History Implementation Russia

History Implementation Documentation Y13

Y13 History Implementation Tudors

Y13 History Implementation Russia

History KS3-4 Curriculum Map St Anthony’s 

History KS5 Curriculum Map St Anthony’s

Year 9

Students begin their History GCSE in Year 9

They follow the module ‘Medicine through time c.1250 to the present day’.

Students will examine;

  • Ideas about the cause of disease and illness
  • Approaches to prevention and treatment
  • Case studies of diseases, individuals and developments in treatments.

Later on in the year they will cover ‘The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries,

treatment and the trenches’.

Skills to be developed

Pupils need to be able to;

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.
  • Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second order historical concepts (causation, consequence, similarity, difference, change, continuity and significance.)
  • Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.
  • Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied.

Assessments

Formal assessments are set three times a year.  Pupils will answer a question under exam conditions.  They will be told in advance which topic to learn, with the exception of key assessment 3 which will cover the whole year’s work.

Exam board is EDEXCEL code 1 H10

There are no extended tasks or controlled assessment.

Resources

Useful websites for pupils are the BBC bitesize KS4, History Learning site, and School History.

Educational Visits

There are no visits planned in year 9.

No specialist equipment is required.

Year 10

Students began their History GCSE in Year 9

  • In Y10 the focus is on Anglo Saxon and Norman England c1060 to 1088.
  • Following on from this pupils study Weimar and Nazi Germany 1919-1945

Skills to be developed

Pupils need to be able to;

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.
  • Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second order historical concepts (causation, consequence, similarity, difference, change, continuity and significance.)
  • Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgements, in the context of historical events studied.
  • Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied.

Assessments

Formal assessments are set 3 times a year.  Pupils will answer a question under exam conditions.  They will be told in advance which topic to learn, with the exception of mock examinations, which will cover the whole year’s work.

Exam board is EDEXCEL code 1 H10

There are no extended tasks or controlled assessment.

Resources

Useful websites for pupils are the BBC bitesize KS4, History Learning site, and School History.

Educational Visits

Leeds Medical Museum.

No specialist equipment is required.

Year 11

  • Y11 focuses on finishing off the Weimar and Nazi Germany course followed by our new Cold War component
  • The course will aim to be concluded before February half term which allows for a lot of revision to take place which will be teacher led

Skills to be developed

Pupils need to be able to;

  • Recall, select, organise and use detailed knowledge accurately and effectively showing detailed understanding of historical periods, themes and topics.
  • Communicate ideas using historical terms accurately and give developed explanations. They should justify answers with analysis of key concepts, features and characteristics of the periods studied.
  • Investigate historical questions, problems or issues and reach reasoned and substantiated conclusions, recognising how and why events, people and issues have been interpreted and represented in different ways.

Assessments

Pupils will have an early Key Assessment followed by two periods of mock exams. The year culminated in a final external exam.

Exam board is AQA code 9140

Resources

  • SAM Learning and GCSE Bitesize websites
  • G Lacey and K Shephard Germany 1918 – 1945: Students. Book Hodder Murray
  • S Lee Weimar and Nazi Germany (Core Book) Heinemann
  • remember.org (the library of the holocaust)
  • Pearson Publishing Edexcel GCSE 9-1 History Superpower relations and the Cold War 1941-1991
  • historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/index.htm (Hitler’s rise to power)
  • schoolhistory.co.uk

 No specialist equipment is required.

IMPACT

We know from all those who internally, and externally, review the work of our school that our pupils/students are cheerful, creative, conscientious and confident.  Employers regularly tell us that our pupils/students are professional and act with honesty and integrity.  Our school has been very successful with numerous external accreditations, for the community and the individuals within it, over many decades.  Our staff and pupil/students very much feel part of our Mercy community.

Our History curriculum helps our pupils/students to develop the detailed knowledge and skills required to progress to the next stage of education, employment or training.  Our teaching and learning programmes support our pupils/students to know, understand and remember more historical knowledge and to achieve subject fluency, enabling them to grow and develop as historians.  Our History curriculum equips pupils/students to contextualise contemporary events. The curriculum aims to allow pupils/students the chance to make greater sense of the world around them by understanding the origins of many current political and social issues.  Staff in the History department support subject specific literacy and numeracy for all our pupils/ students to help them succeed in their studies and they aim to holistically develop the gifts and talents of each individual within a caring, compassionate, charitable and challenging Christian environment.

Our impactful History curriculum develops students with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to have a positive impact within family, friendship groups, school/college, university, the workplace and the wider community.  Our wide-ranging and broad-based curriculum offer, and varied extended curricular opportunities, within History provide an opportunity for everyone.

We know that our students are reliable, responsible, resilient and radical individuals who are ready to use their talents positively wherever life may take them. Generations of pupils/students have chosen St. Anthony’s over the decades and centuries.  We are extremely proud of our alumni, many of whom are regular contributors to our school community as it continues to grow and develop.  Many families have fourth or fifth generation connection to our school and many staff have given decades of service, such is the impact of being part of this school community.

Everyone in our community is aware of what it means to be an Antonian: to pursue excellence, to build community, to show concern for those who may be disadvantaged and to particularly support the education of women and girls. We have definitely had an impact within this “city by the sea”, and well beyond it, since we were founded in 1904.  We are confident that our distinctive ethos will continue to have a big impact as it is carried forward by future generations of Antonians.