History

Norman Conquest

Did the Normans bring a ‘truck load of trouble’ to England in 1066?

Students learn about this key point in British History and understand its importance. This builds on knowledge learnt in primary school about Anglo-Saxons and invasions and shows how the Normans set the foundations of the England we see today.

Crusades

Why were there Crusades?

Students learn about the importance of Jerusalem, and how religion forged war in the medieval world. This course also involves a study into how interpretations of the Crusades differ between Christians and Muslims.

Medieval Baghdad

Why was Medieval Baghdad Remarkable?

This is a study into the remarkable medieval Islamic worlds and their advancements in trade, education, and architecture. We look specifically at why Baghdad was significant due to its ‘round city’ and ‘house of wisdom’.

The Silk Roads and Black Death

How did the Silk Roads tun the Black Death into a global disaster?

This is a study into how trade and disease were interconnected in the medieval world. We follow the Black Death through the silk roads and investigate its impact in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Medieval African Kingdoms

What was Africa like before 1600?

This is a study into the impressive medieval African countries of Benin and Mali. We look at the life of one of the richest men who ever lived (Mansa Musa) and the advancement of medieval Benin and its visual culture (the Benin Bronzes).

 Medieval Women

How powerful were medieval women?  

This is a study into the different ways in which women were and were not able to harness power in the medieval patriarchal society. We begin by looking at Empress Matilda before studying Joan of Arc.

Tudor Religion

To what extent did the Church change under each Tudor monarch?

This is a study into why Martin Luther was angry with the Catholic Church and how the religion of the country changed (between Catholic and Protestant) with each Tudor monarch until Elizabeth found a middle way.

The Conquest of America

How did Columbus alter America?

This is a study into the “discovery” of America and the impact it has on the Native Americans already living there.

The English Civil War

Why was there a Civil War in England?

Students study a key point in British History that looks at the changing power relationship between the monarch and parliament.

In Year 8 we look at how revolution shaped the early modern and industrial world, the following units are studied:

The Early Modern Witch Craze

Was the witch craze a woman hunt?

This is a study into the Early Modern witch hunts. We look at how the witch craze looked different across different countries in Europe and decide whether they can be considered “woman hunts”.

The Industrial Revolution

What does 19th Century Belper reveal about the Industrial Revolution?

This is a study into the development of Britain and Belper during the Industrial Revolution, the role of mills technology and how it impacted the landscape of the country.

Enslavement

How did people resist and uphold the transatlantic slave trade?

This is a study into the causes and consequences of the transatlantic slave trade, including the role of enslavers and others who benefitted. We also look at how enslaved people resisted their captivity and their role in its abolition.

The French Revolution

Did the French Revolution make France a fairer country?

This is a study into how and why France overthrew their monarchy and the terror that ensued. Students will use sources to explore the horror of the revolution and decide whether it achieved fairness.

The British Empire

What were the experiences of countries in the British Empire

This is a study into the experiences of India, Africa and Australia as part of the British Empire and the similarities between these colonies.

 Victorian Society

What was it like to live in Victorian Britain?

This is a study into different aspects of Victorian life which set the foundations of the monarchy, politics and society we recognise today.

 The Suffragettes

How did women achieve the vote?

This is a study into the efforts of women to gain the vote. It includes looking at attitudes towards women in Victorian society and a comparison of tactics between the Suffragists and Suffragettes.

Years 10 to 11 – Key Stage 4

GCSE History

Examination Board: OCR B

GCSE History provides students with an exciting opportunity to study a broad span of historical topics, engage with sources and analyse interpretations. It encourages learners to become curious, develop their own opinions and build a deeper understanding of the past.

The course will include 5 elements:

1) People’s Health c.1250-present

This is a thematic study into the changes and continuities in healthcare in Britain from the medieval period to the modern period. We investigate advancements within the world of medicine such as Germ Theory and Smallpox vaccine.

2) The Norman Conquest 1065 – 1087

This is a study into how the Normans changed England forever. We investigate William’s journey to the throne, how the Anglo-Saxons rebelled, and castles as a symbol of oppression. This course focuses on interpretations.

 

3) History Around Us – A study of Cromford Mill

This is a study into the importance of a UNESCO World Heritage Site on students’ doorstep. This course involves a visit to Cromford Mill which shows how crucial it was to the Industrial Revolution and allows students to find a connection with the people who lived so close geographically but far away chronologically.

4) The Making of America 1789 – 1900

This is a study of American expansion, the American Civil War and settlement and conflict on the Plains.  This focuses on the Native Americans’ battles to keep their land in the face of white civilisation (including cowboys, ranchers and farmers) as well as the plight of African Americans as they were freed from enslavement.

5) Living under Nazi Rule 1933 – 1945

This is a study into Hitler’s rise to power by 1934 and the lives of people in Nazi Germany (including women, workers, children and Jews). We use sources to study how dictatorship shaped Germany from 1933 to 1945.

 

Years 12 and 13 – Key Stage 5

A Level History

Examination Board: OCR
Course Code: H505 (opens in new tab)

The A Level History course is assessed through three written examinations and a piece of coursework.

The Later Tudors (25%)

This is our British period study that covers stability, religion and unrest during the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, this involves analysing sources and writing essays.

The French Revolution and Rule of Napolean (15%)

This is our non-British period study which covers the French Revolution and rule of Napolean and includes the reasons, events, and consequences of revolution as well as Napolean’s rise and fall.

Civil Rights in the USA 1865-1992 (40%)

This is our interpretations course where we look at the different opinions of historians on how women, Trade Unions, African Americans and Native Americans campaigned for Civil Rights in America.

Non-Examined Assessment (20%)

Students will also produce an independently studied essay which engages with sources and interpretations to place themselves within the most widely debated study in History: Nazi Rule and the Holocaust.

Are you interested in

• Discussion
• Research
• Controversy
• Thinking
• The Past

Leading to a career in 

• Law
• Education
• Media
• Business
• Politics
• Archaeology
• Architecture
• Interior Design
• Finance
• Journalism

Subject Entry Criteria: GCSE History Grade 5