History

Dear God, Grant us wisdom and understanding as we explore the events of the past. May the knowledge we gain from history guide us in making wise decisions and shaping a better future. Amen. 

 

Head of Department
Ms F Woods

Other teaching staff
Mr R Shanahan, Mrs V Davis, Ms E Falconer

For any questions email

Curriculum Intent

​KS3   Year 9   Year 10   Year 11

KS3KS3 Time plan

Students study key events in British and World History in chronological order, to develop and enrich pupil’s awareness of change over time, and how significant historical events and individuals have created the world we live in today.
Through a variety of lessons that focus on: Knowledge development and security of long-term memory, development of analytical source skills and Historical ‘depth study’ enquiries; pupils will develop a love of history and an awareness of the cultural significance of individual and shared histories. All lessons are accessible to all learners, and every child is a valued Historian in the eyes of St Thomas More’s History Department.
The intent of the curriculum plan for Yr. 7 and 8 is to enable students to deepen their understanding of the people, periods and events studied and enable them to think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, make informed decisions and develop perspective and judgement.                                             

GCSE

GCSE Course structure

KS4 Time Plan

History GCSE supports students in learning more about the history of Britain and that of the wider world. The study of history at GCSE inspires students to deepen their understanding of the people, periods and events studied and enables them to think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, make informed decisions and develop perspective and judgement.

This, in turn, will prepare them for a role as informed, thoughtful and active citizens. The discipline of history and a knowledge and understanding of the past will also help them to understand their own identity and significant aspects of the world in which they live, and provide them with the basis for further wider learning and study.

 Skills developed at GCSE will enable students to:

  • develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of specified key events, periods and societies in local, British, and wider world history; and of the wide diversity of human experience
  • engage in historical enquiry to develop as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers
  • develop the ability to ask relevant questions about the past, to investigate issues critically and to make valid historical claims by using a range of sources in their historical context
  • develop an awareness of why people, events and developments have been accorded historical significance and how and why different interpretations have been constructed about them
  • organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways and reach substantiated conclusions

Extra-Curricular opportunities

  • Participation in Holocaust Memorial Day National Events (Term 2)
  • Year 7 Local Study visit to Eltham Palace (Term 3)
  • Year 8 Political Significance visit to The Tower of London (Term 3)
  • Optional Enrichment Trip to Imperial War Museum Holocaust Exhibit (open to Yr. 9/10)
  • Year 10 Optional study trip to Munich for ‘Origins of Nazi Party’ (open to Yr.10 2022/23)
  • Year 11 Edexcel Conference

Career Opportunities

Due to the nature of the course and the assessment procedures many students are able to achieve exam success and utilise skills developed in KS3 and GCSE to help gain future opportunities.  The study of History provides a good background for all arts and social science careers. It is useful for careers in archaeology, heritage, archive and museum work. The skills you learn from studying history include investigating, researching documents, examining evidence and presenting arguments. These are valuable in a great number of careers, including law, journalism, politics and management.