‘If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.’
MICHAEL CRICHTON

Intent

Our aim in History is to provide students an understanding of our past, to ensure they can access our world current affairs today. Our purpose in History in for staff to help pupils to embrace the subject and love learning about the past through passionate staff towards the subject, excellent lesson resources and extra-curricular opportunities that go beyond the constraints of the classroom walls. History has a positive identity with our pupils in Stanley High School. We ensure students can study a wide-range of content which enables them to understand world events. From year 7-9, pupils study a vast range of Historical time periods, which touch upon each century, from 1066 to present. The content of topics has been chosen to adhere to the National Curriculum for History. This allows the pupils at Stanley High School to have a broad and balanced curriculum, which encapsulates many cross curricular links.

For KS4, pupils tend to find they develop a real passion and love for the subject. It is often the case on progress evenings, that many parents/carers comment on the fact their child talks about the subject at home, which proves their enthusiasm for History in Stanley High School. Our curriculum has been designed to be broad enough that pupils would have a wide understanding of historical knowledge to equip them well for their forthcoming lives as adults. Equally so, we thrive on embedding a broad geographical awareness and have many other cross curricular links.

Implementation

Pupils in KS3 (Years 7 to 9) follow the topics of the History National Curriculum. Please find the link for this below:
National Curriculum – History key stages 3 and 4 (publishing.service.gov.uk),
The link to the learning journey below will guide you as to what pupils will cover in lesson time, and equally has a reading lists to give an indication of recommended reading to compliment your child’s studies.

History prides itself on having excellent quality resources, which in KS3, pupils develop essential KS4 skills, which have been embedded into all KS3 lessons and assessments.

Year 7 – 3 lessons a fortnight
Year 8 – 3 lessons a fortnight
Year 9 – 3 lessons a fortnight
Year 10 – 5 lessons a fortnight
Year 11 – 5 lessons a fortnight

In History lessons, we have a particular emphasis upon British History, so our pupils know the British Values of democracy; the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith. This is embedded within lessons, to ensure pupils grow to become good citizens of our world, who have learnt to look after humanity, by looking at past events and understanding the causes and consequences of particular parts of History. Often in History lessons, we have debates when pupils are asked to express their opinions on facts.

As well as school trips and guest speakers, we also provide enrichment opportunities.

Our exam board we follow for KS4 (Years 10 and 11) is Edexcel, studying the following modules, to sit 3 exams:

• Paper 1 – Crime and Punishment over time c.1000-present, with a case study on the Whitechapel murders
• Paper 2 – Superpower relations and the Cold War 1945-1991 and Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588
• Paper 3 – Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-1939

Our staff address key vocabulary within lessons, paying particular attention to literacy and teaching them methods to try to help them spell the word themselves. Equally, misconceptions are addressed by the member of staff. There are a lot of opportunities for silent reading in our History lessons to ensure pupils have the opportunity to learn independently and also to understand how pupils need to have the self-discipline to read themselves and develop a love of reading. We encourage students to develop their oracy skills in lessons where possible.

Our view towards homework is that it ensures our pupils have the chance to either reflect upon a topic we are studying to consolidate their learning, or to research the next upcoming topic. We ensure pupils understand that homework has a purpose.

Impact

History provides pupils with a excellent general knowledge and an understanding of Humanity and that if we do not learn about the atrocities of the past, this will undoubtedly affect our future. Pupils enjoy History and the passion of our staff does drive pupils to engage and enjoy their History lessons. It is with this attitude, the subject itself lends itself to promote their thirst for learning.

History in Stanley High School ensures pupils leave with an appreciation for other people and knowing how to be good citizens of the world, having learnt about the atrocities that have damaged our society. Our curriculum clearly embeds pupils with good morals and equips them with the knowledge of a level of politics, law and order and how our society has changed over time which links with pupils’ knowledge of cultural capitol. History is an exciting subject and this curriculum has been designed to ignite children’s curiosity in the past. Our options numbers prove the enthusiasm many pupils have for History. Also, should a pupil not choose to take the subject onto GSCE level, the lessons have been designed to give pupils a wide range of knowledge and skills, that will leave them in good stead, for facing life beyond Stanley.  Our curriculum clearly embeds pupils with good morals and equips them with the knowledge of a level of politics, law and order and how our society has changed over time which links with pupils’ knowledge of cultural capitol.

Micro-adaptations in lessons from teachers ensure all children can access the lesson, no matter what their ability, which is compliant to adhering to the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. Each teacher provides necessary SEND support within lesson time.

Suggested post-16 pathways and possible careers

Studying History lends itself well to the following career pathways:

• Teacher
• Lecturer
• Journalist
• Police
• Forensic scientist/detective
• Archivist
• National Trust
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Museum education officer
• Museum/gallery curator
• Museum/gallery exhibitions officer · Archaeologist
• Solicitor
• Barrister
• Judge

Additional information

We have an eclectic mix of exciting opportunities for our pupils here at Stanley High School to inspire them to love the subject, including national and international trips.

Learning Journey

Reading Lists