History KS3 2022-2023

KS3 HISTORY Overview History is the memory of humankind. It gives us a foundation and context from which we proceed with our lives in the present. It gives us a sense of our identity, community and culture and puts us in a framework from which we can relate to the rest of the world. Our pupils will consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like, how these societies organised their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions. As they do this, they will develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. What they learn can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values. Pupils begin their work with an introduction to the study of history and will then consider: 1. Challenges to the monarchy, c.1400 to c.1650. The focus of this study will be on Richard III, Henry VII, Henry VII and Charles I. 2. Rights and Revolutions. Students will study the causes and consequences of the English Civil War and the French Revolution.

3. Challenges to the Union. Students will look at England’s relationship with Scotland and Ireland from c.1700 to the present day.

4. Challenges facing women in history. Students will study historic moments in women’s history and challenges that women still face today. Students will also have the opportunity to study a local site relating to the Suffragette Movement.

In year 7, we want students to extend and deepen their chronological knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, so that it provides a well-informed context for later and wider learning. Students will be able to identify significant events (like the Reformation, English Civil War and the Act of Union) and make connections, draw contrasts, and analyse trends within periods and over longer arcs of time.

Students will begin to use historical terms and concepts in increasingly sophisticated ways. In year 8, we want students to start to use a thematic approach to their studies by looking at empires, which will help build skills and allow students to understand overarching issues within a particular context. They will pursue historically valid enquiries, such as whether or not Britain could have become a world leader without slavery and child labour, and create relevant, structured and evidentially supported accounts in response.

They will understand how different types of historical sources are used to make historical claims and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed.

We have combined overview, chronology, and depth studies to help students understand both the long arc of development and the complexity of specific aspects of the content to prepare them for the demands of GCSE, which begins in year 9. In year 9, we have previously studied World War One; causes, events, impact, and longer-term effects. We have now decided it would be prudent to combine this with the study of the GCSE course ‘Conflict and Tension: Inter-War Years’, along with an in-depth study of the Holocaust (following HET guidelines) and genocide in the 20th century. This will allow students to embed the knowledge and skills needed for GCSE whilst also retaining our breadth of topics at KS3.

How Parents Can Help Share family history with your child, particularly your own memories of the people and places of your childhood.

Read with your child about people and events that have made a difference in the world and discuss the readings together. Help your child know that the people who make history are real people just like them, and that they have ideas and dreams, work hard and experience failure and success.

Watch TV programs about important historical topics (even Horrible Histories!) with your family and encourage discussion about the programme as you watch.

Additional Information: History Model A now traditional part of Year 7 pupils’ work is the completion of a history ‘model’ during the summer term. This is intended to allow pupils to examine in greater depth an aspect of work studied during the year. It is hoped that pupils’ research skills and historical understanding will also be developed through the project. Pupils’ work will be displayed at an evening exhibition held in the school at the end of the summer term to which parents, family and friends are invited.