Year 7

In Year 7, we start by thinking about how historians ‘construct’ history. We then study migration to the British Isles and consider how the Romans and Vikings have shaped both our landscape and culture. We then examine the Norman Conquest and its impact, medieval Britain and the changing nature of Church and State that accompanied the reign of the Tudors and the Stuarts. In Year 7, we have interactive workshops provided by Tudor House Museum which provide an insight into our local history.

Year 8

In Year 8, we consider the relationship between the Industrial Revolution, Empire, the slave trade and British colonies. We then study the twentieth century including World War One, the Second World War and the Holocaust. Again, we consider how such momentous events were influenced by each other and by events that preceded them in the 19th century. We take our learning about the Holocaust further by having access to material from the Anne Frank Trust and undertaking an analysis of this.

Year 9

Within Year 9 we follow the National Curriculum by studying significant societies or issues in world history and its interconnections with other world developments. We focus on two significant society issues; Russia and then Germany. We link these to significant turning points in History especially within Europe. For example, the impact of the Great Depression and how this affected governments and relationships between European countries as well as the growth of Communism in Russia. The National Curriculum strands are completed in depth as aspects and skills from the KS4 course are gradually drawn in as the year progresses.

Year 10

In Year 10, we complete Conflict and Tension, Europe 1918-1939 and then study Health and the People from the year 1000 to the current day. We start with the strange beliefs involved in medieval medicine and move through the Renaissance highlighting that this was a period of questioning what had gone before whilst simultaneously retaining many of the same weird and wonderful medieval medical beliefs. We then study a period of huge change and progress in the medical world as the 19th century bore witness to great scientific and technological improvements. Lastly, we examine how two world wars and the increasing role of government in the 20th century brings us to medicine as we know it today.

Year 11

In Year 11, we study the Normans 1066-1100 (section B, Paper 2 of the GCSE). This includes an examination of the claimants to the throne of England in 1066, a detailed analysis of the

Battle of Hastings, the methods that William I used to gain control of England and religious reform under the Normans. There is a site study to complete as well which, for 2023 is Yorkshire after the Norman Conquest, c.1066-c.1100.

GCSE history students follow the AQA specification at Bishop Perowne.  At the end of Year 11, students will complete two written exams which cover the following units:

Paper 1: Understanding the modern world.

• Section A Period Study: Germany 1890-1945 -Democracy and Dictatorship
• Section B Wider World Depth Study: Conflict and Tension – The Inter-War Years, 1918-1939

Paper 2: Shaping the nation.

• Section A Thematic Studies: Health and the People, c1000 – present day.
• Section B British Depth Study (Including the historic environment): Norman England c1066 – c1100

Students in history are offered a wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities. Recent examples include:

• School visit from the Tudor House Museum in Worcester to work with Year 7 students studying the topic of The Tudors in the Spring/Summer Term.
• Cultural capital visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge, Shropshire for Key Stage 3 students.
• Enrichment days covering key topics such as Anne Frank and Holocaust Memorial Day with our Year 8 students.
• Hub revision sessions afterschool on a fortnightly basis with our Year 11 students, in preparation for their GCSE exams.