THE CURRICULUM - HISTORY

Year 7

Students begin year 7 with a brief refresher course covering the basic skills of history, including the different types and uses of evidence and issues relating to chronology. Then they learn about the development of the Roman Empire before using ICT facilities and textbooks to explore various aspects of Roman life. They complete their study of the Romans by studying evidence relating to the Roman occupation of Britain.

During the second and third terms students learn about Medieval Britain beginning with the Norman Conquest and society. There is a special study of castles involving both ICT and model making, followed by a study of village life, again involving ICT skills. Students also learn about medieval medicine and disease, finishing with a study of kingship and government.

Year 8

During the autumn term of year 8 students learn about the significance of religion in the 16th century before turning their attention to the reign of Henry V111. They continue their study of Henry, and of Tudor times during an ICT project. This is followed by a comparison of Tudor and modern government to help develop their knowledge and understanding of citizenship. This theme is developed by learning about the causes, main events and results of the Civil War.

During the spring term the main focus is the growth and development of Liverpool. This is evidence based, involving the use of contemporary maps and sketches, supported by images using the CD Rom 'Our City.' Students use ICT to describe the development of Liverpool from small town to city with the help of various writing frames and concept maps to support their writing. This is followed by a study of the Industrial Revolution, its social and political consequences, and the development of empire. Naturally, Liverpool's central role is frequently emphasised.

Year 9

History in year 9 begins with the theme of Liverpool's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. After studying the background and details, students research an excellent website and write a newspaper article for the Liverpool Mercury to support the abolitionist cause using ICT. Then they learn about tensions in the USA caused by slavery, culminating in the American Civil War, and the long period of segregation and further dehumanisation of the black people of America that followed. This module concludes with a study of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s and examines the issue of racism which still exists in both the USA and Britain today, thus adding to their skills in citizenship.

Key Stage 3 concludes with a study of the 20th century covering the First World War, the rise of dictatorships during the 1920s and 30s and the causes of World War Two, and finally the Cold War period. There are many opportunities during this module to develop both ICT, and the knowledge, understanding and skills of citizenship through the exploration of issues such as the value of democracy.

Years 10 & 11

Students who choose to opt for history at GCSE level continue their study of the Modern World at a deeper level. Their skills in interpreting and evaluating evidence are developed through the study of sources relating to Britain between 1906 and 1918. Students evaluate arguments for and against the foundation of a welfare state and women's suffrage, and how government powers were extended during the Great War. Von Schlieffen's plan of defensive attack, culminating in stalemate and bloody slaughter along the Western Front, becomes the subject of two GCSE assignments.

Students then learn how the victorious nations attempted to create a new world order through a peace process involving the Treaty of Versailles and the establishment of the League of Nations, forerunner to the present UNO. The rise of Hitler and the Nazis is explored together with the breakdown of 'peace in our time'.

The final section of the course covers the emergence of the Cold War and American efforts to contain the spread of communism. The march of time ends, for this course, with the raising of the Iron Curtain, thus allowing the peoples of Stettin ('.on the Baltic') and Trieste to enjoy the same liberties.