At GBHS, we use our Key Stage 3 curriculum to develop a curiosity of the subject through enquiry based

During the first year, study areas include ‘What is History?’, ‘How has England become a country of castles?’, as well as key themes and events from the Middle Ages. This includes medieval warfare, daily life and the Black Death. At the end of Year 7 students will be introduced to the Tudors preparing them for the transition into Year 8.

In Year 8, students will investigate topics such ‘Why did a King lose his head?’ and Civil Rights issues in the USA. The year finished with an investigation into Jack the Ripper and the Industrial Revolution, laying the foundations for modern History in Year 9.

Students in year 9 explore the development of Britain and the Wider Words, from World War One to the present day, exploring topics such as World War Two, the ‘Swinging Sixties’ and the Cold War.

Themes within KS3 include war, the role of the government, power shifts, social attitudes, religion and diversity.

The GCSE examining board is Edexcel.  

There are three papers:  

Paper 1: Medicine Through Time and the Western Front environmental study 30% 1 hour 15 minutes

·         Western Front Environment

·         Medieval1250-1500

·         Renaissance 1500-1700

·         Industrial 1700-1900

·         Modern 1900-present day

Paper 2: 40% (1 hour 50 minutes)

Superpower Relations and the Cold War 1941-91 (20%)

·         Origins of the Cold War 1941-58

·         Crises of the Cold War 1958-70

·         The end of the Cold War 1970-91

Early Elizabethan England 20%

·         Queen Government and Religion 1558-69

·         Challenges to Elizabeth home and abroad 1569-88

·         Elizabethan society in the age of exploration 1558-88

Paper 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany 30%. 1 hour 20 minutes

·         Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-29

·         Hitler’s rise to power 1919-33

·         Nazi control and dictatorship 1933-39 

·         Life in Nazi Germany 1933-39

Social 

Students will explore the similarities and differences between past and present societies. They will examine the impact of other cultures on the development of ’British’ culture. Students will also be encouraged to build up their own social development through collaborative and team working activities. The study of social issues is a common theme in History lessons. 

Moral 

Students are asked to consider and comment on moral questions and dilemmas. Events and beliefs in the past will often be at odds with what we would consider acceptable today. Students will be encouraged to show compassion for people facing dilemmas and to empathise with decisions which people made in the past using their understanding of context. Notions of right and wrong are explored in connection with events from the past, which links to the value of justice. 

Spiritual 

The study of History involves a sense of curiosity and the mystery of how and why events in the past happened. Artefacts are used to give students a sense of the past and aid pupils’ understanding of the people who produced/used these objects. Students are encouraged to explore the role played by important individuals, for good or ill, in the shaping of the world we live in. Students also reflect upon different interpretations of the past and how these interpretations have been arrived at.

Cultural 

Students will be encouraged to gain an understanding of and empathise with, people from different cultural backgrounds. Students will develop a better understanding of our multicultural society through studying links between local, British, European and world history.

As a department we are passionate about taking learning beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to explore their past through local and personal narratives.

At Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9) the history department encourages students to create their own project on ANY historical event/person they like. This optional project, which occurs twice a year, is greatly attended and is one of the most look-forward to events in the calendar!

Year 7 students have the opportunity to visit a recreation of a Motte and Bailey Castle (Stansted Mountfitchet) which brings to life our Medieval England unit.

In Year 9, we are currently developing a World War One trenches experience day, highlighting the horrors and struggles of life on the Western Front.

There will be a residential opportunity for GCSE History students to Berlin, incorporating key sites associated with the fall of the Weimar Republic/Hitler’s rise to power (Paper 3) and the Cold War (part of Paper 2).