History

Key Stage 3 :: Key Stage 4 :: Key Stage 5 :: Contact

What is History?
History challenges pupils to ask and answer important questions, find evidence, weigh it up and reach conclusions. They learn about the history of their local area, Britain, Europe and the wider world, building up in their heads a framework of significant events and people. As they do so, they see the diversity of human experience and understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society. History helps pupils to become confident and questioning individuals, equipping them with knowledge and skills that are prized in adult life.

Inspiring enquiring minds
History fires pupils' curiosity about past events, societies and people. By studying history, pupils come to understand more about themselves as individuals and as members of society. What they learn can influence personal choices, attitudes and values for years to come.

Key Sage 3

At Key Stage 3 (11-14 years of age), students increase their knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past. Pupils are taught the experiences and range of ideas, beliefs and attitudes of men, women and children in the past. From this students explore the social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity of different societies, both in Britain and the wider world.

As part of their historical enquiries students are taught:how and why historical events, people, situations and changes have been interpreted in different ways and how to evaluate these differing interpretations. Students are taught how to identify, select and use a range of appropriate sources of information and to evaluate and record relevant information to support any conclusions they might reach.

Breadth of study
Students at Eastbrook are broadly taught history over a 2000 year timespan. Students are primarily taught British History but the appropriate emphasis is also placed on European, world and local history. This includes placing the history of Britain in its European and wider world context.

Compulsory 5-14
From ages 5 to 14, history is compulsory. It is optional for all students after the age of 14. Those who choose to continue studying history usually take a qualification such as a GCSE. Then, pupils may take an A level.

Key Stage 4

GCSE History at Eastbrook encourages students to be inspired, moved and changed
by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. In this students study:

• Aspects of International Relations 1919-1949
• An in-depth study of the History of Germany, 1919-1945
• An in-depth study of the History of Britain, 1906-19
• A coursework unit on the History of the USA focusing on Prohibition and the causes and consequences of the Great Depression.

GCSE History at Eastbrook enables candidates to:

• Actively engage in the process of historical enquiry to develop effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
• Develop their knowledge and coherent understanding of selected periods, societies and aspects of history.
• Develop an awareness of how the past has been represented, interpreted and accorded significance for different reasons and purposes.
• Develop the ability to ask relevant questions about the past and to investigate them critically using a range of sources in their historical context.
• Organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in creative and different ways and reach substantiated judgments.
• Recognise that their historical knowledge, understanding and skills help them understand the present and also provide them with a basis for their role as responsible citizens, as well as for the possible further study of history.

History provides you with opportunities in….

• Politics & Government
• Journalism
• Television
• Film
• Sports
• Law
• Business

History provides skills in anything you want to do!

Key Stage 5

Why study History at Key Stage 5.

Unlike many subjects, History does not restrict your future options and choices in life. The skills developed in History are designed to be transferable to many different occupations and life situations. An A-Level in History can lead to study at degree level. This provides the student with numerous opportunities. As Prof. David Nicholls of the Manchester Metropolitan University:

"With a history degree you can aspire to be prime minister, press baron and media mogul, overlord of the BBC, 'the most famous lawyer in the land', archbishop of Canterbury, top spook, leading diplomat, police chief, Oxbridge chancellor and vice-chancellor, England footballer and football manager, or chairman of the richest football club in the world, famous comedian or celebrated pop musician, bestselling novelist, trade union boss, business millionaire and perhaps even one day monarch of the realm."
 

What is studied in Key Stage 5 History?

AS level:

Unit 1 - Pursuing life & liberty: equality in the USA, 1945-68 & Ideology &
Conflict & Retreat: the USA in Asia 1950-73

Unit 2 – British Political History, 1945-90: Consensus & Conflict Examination

Assessed by Examination – One examination for each unit

A2 level:

Unit 3 – Revolution, Republic & Restoration: England 1629-67

Unit 4 - Crusading Europe 1095-1204

Unit 3 is assessed by examination whereas Unit 4 is assessed as coursework

Contact

Head of Department - BarryR@eastbrook.bardaglea.org.uk