History

History is essential for students to understand what has shaped the world in which we live today. It would be entirely wrong, for example, for any student to leave school without an understanding of how war shaped events throughout the Twentieth Century. There are events in history which are, quite simply, too important for people to not know about.

As well as developing secure historical knowledge, our curriculum will ensure students gain a deep understanding of the three ‘key constructs’ that underpin our subject; chronology, causation and consequence. We build upon this with further key constructs to make students aware of turning points in history, change and continuity, religion, politics, authority and society.

The kS3 Curriculum takes a chronological journey from 1066 through to the present, focusing on the main events that have shaped our world today. Our aim is for students to be aware of what makes a turning point and introduce them to key constructs that will occur throughout their study of history. Beginning with the Norman Conquest, the course then examines the terrible impact of the Black Death, followed by a change in beliefs amongst the ordinary people to improve their place in society during the Peasants’ Revolt. This, combined with Magna Carta, paved the way for a shift in power from monarchy to the people. Our key constructs are repeatedly revisited and built upon throughout the Tudor and Stuart Periods, culminating in the Civil War representing the pinnacle of disagreement as to how the country should be governed.

Students use this foundation of knowledge to develop an understanding of why the world is very different nowadays to how it was in the past. A focus on Empire leads into the outbreak of World War 1 and the devastating effect nationalistic feelings can have. With the rise of Nazism and World War 2, students gain a deep understanding of the impact of war as well as a greater understanding of different political beliefs. Students learn how different beliefs can have hugely positive as well as negative impacts on society. Teaching the politics of the past helps our students to better understand the politics of today and make more informed decisions.

Students in KS4 build on the knowledge they have learnt over the previous three years and apply it to the requirements of the GCSE specification.  Year 10 begins with the Medicine Through Time unit of work which is the largest in terms of content. Here students are reintroduced to change and continuity with greater depth of understanding into context. We then deliver the Empire, Reform and War Unit which again builds upon learning in Key Stage 3, particularly politics and society. Students in Year 11 study  Germany 1919-91 to a greater depth than in Key Stage 3 before concluding with The Crusades, by this stage with a clear understanding of the context of the Medieval Era and all associated key constructs. Our aim is for students to leave Tiverton High School with a deep understanding of cause and consequence of turning points in history and how history has shaped the world we live in today in terms of religion, politics, society and authority.