History is a small but friendly department and we are constantly striving to find new ways of keeping the past alive and relevant for today's students.
Wherever you look in society historians are playing a crucial role, be it in politics, entertainment or business. This is because History provides you with many of the key skills necessary to be successful in life.
"History is made by people. When you understand people, you can live a full life"
- Charles Miller Smith - Chairman of ICI
History is about looking at information and using information in a critical way. In an age of information this is the kind of skill that is most desired, and History is the best way to develop this skill. You will be taught to evaluate and analyse information and how to understand why events happen.
KS3
In Years 7, History is taught as a discrete subject but within the ‘Unlocking Learning’ Scheme-a partnership of eight subjects working on cross curricular themes. A wide range of historical topics is taught from British and World History and in addition to the National Curriculum skills and concepts specific for History, the Unlocking Skills are delivered, which develop students' abilities to plan, collaborate, analyse and evaluate their own performance. In this way, we aim to develop the independent learners of the future.
In year 8 History continues with the thematic approach, looking at how Major events and developments have affected Britain and its place in the world. Assessments will be closer to GCSE in style to give students greater preparation for the 3 year GCSE starting in year 9. However the principles under planning the work begin in unlocking learning previously will still form an important part of the year 8 approach.
KS4
We begin in year 9 with a controlled assessment, consisting of two pieces on aspects of the home front on WW2. They are done in the class room but under exam conditions. Then we will look into the 'big picture' of medicine through time, showing how it has changed from roman Britain to the present day, understanding cause and consequence.
In year 10 we concentrate on the core skills needed for exam success and study of the changes in surgery 1845-1918, with the emphasis on historical sources. In June of year 10 students judged to be ready for it will be entered for both medicine papers.
In year 11 we focus more on the American west 1840-1895, looking at native Americans, white settlement and the conflict that has developed. All students will be examined as this in June of year 11, along with those who did not sit the medicine papers in year 10.
The GCSE Course
At Haybridge we study Edexcel's School's History Project syllabus. This involves studying for a depth study, a development study and a controlled assessment.
What are you going to be studying?
We begin Year 10 by looking at the development study: The History of Medicine . This will involve looking at medical developments from the Medieval Age to the Modern World. This will include investigating key individuals such as Galen, Fleming and Nightingale. We will also look at the American West from 1845 to 1895 , which is the depth study aspect of the course. This will involve investigating the reality of the 'Wild West' and looking at the Plains Indians and Cowboys. Both of these topics will be examined at the end of Year 11.
In addition to the examination there will be a 'controlled assessment' based on a study of Britain in the two world wars. The preparation for this will begin in the summer of Year 10 and it will be completed at the beginning of Year 11.
The A Level Course
A wide variety of textbooks, internet and library resources are available. Potential for study visits when available. The department has a wide variety of information at the students' disposal.
What will you be studying?
At Haybridge we study the Edexcel A-level course.
Teaching and Learning Styles
A variety of teaching and learning styles are used.
Role play, presentations, hot seating are all used. Students are expected to take an active part in their studies with wider reading, note taking and personal research, particularly in Year 13 when students choose their own question on an aspect of the Changing Nature Of Warfare to do as a personal research study.