History
“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”
About the Department
Head of Department, Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5: Mrs Kay
Key Stage 5, Deputy Headteacher: Ms Gordon
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5: Miss Han
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5: Ms Espie
Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4: Mr Curran
The objectives of the History Department are based on a profound shared belief in the importance of History, both as an academic discipline within the school curriculum and as an important foundation stone for leading an intelligent life beyond the school gates.
It is important that pupils realise there were people here before them, that these people, though similar to us in many ways, were also remarkably different. It is also important that they understand how our society evolved and why we are what we are now.
All teachers within the department strive to maintain the best quality teaching that can be attained. Every lesson counts!
“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
Key Stage 3 History
At Key Stage 3 the Department follows a more chronological approach, rather than a directly thematic approach.
Year 7
Students have three 60 minute lessons per fortnight.
What is History?
The Roman Empire
Britain 1066-1500 – Medieval Realms
Islamic Civilisations
Year 8
Students have three 60 minute lessons per fortnight.
Britain 1500-1750
Exploration
Migration
Year 9
Students have two 60 minute lessons per week.
Britain 1750-1900
The Industrial Revolution
Conflict in The Twentieth Century World
The Holocaust
Extension Studies:
We supplement provision in school with a range of speakers and visits. Visits help to develop a pupil’s investigative skills and encourage greater independence. Recent trips include: Music at Henry VIII’s court at Hampton Court, The Old Operating Theatre museum, The Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, participation in Holocaust Memorial Day workshops at the local synagogue; Bletchley Park and The London Dungeons. We have also invited visitors to the school, for example Holocaust survivors, a published Tudor historian and educators from the Museum of London. Members of the History Department often incorporate different historical themes into tutor group assemblies: e.g. Holocaust Memorial Day, Black History Month, Remembrance Day. The Holy Cross School is proud to have been chosen by the Institute of Education (IOE) as a Beacon School, to support a network of local schools to share the IOE’s innovative approaches to enhance the way they teach and learn about the Holocaust and to help young people explore the traumatic history of the Holocaust.
“A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” Robert Heinlein
Key Stage 4 History
At Key Stage 4 the Department follows the AQA GCSE History course of study.
Year 10 & Year 11
Component A: Period Study – America 1840-1895: Expansion & Consolidation
Component B: Wider World Study – Conflict & Tension, 1894-1918
Component C: Thematic Study – Health & the People c1000 to the present day
Component D: British Depth Study – Elizabeth c1558-1603
Key Stage 5 History
At Key Stage 5 the Department follows the AQA A Level History course of study. Mrs Kay has been an AQA examiner.
“The skills you develop as a historian are highly regarded by employers in many sectors. You will learn to critically evaluate evidence, organise ideas and present a coherent argument.” Russell Group university website
Course content:
Year 12 & Year 13
Unit 1: The Tudors: England, 1485-1603
Unit 2: Democracy & Nazism: Germany 1918-1945
Unit 3: Historical Enquiry – Interpretations of Witchcraft in England & Salem, 1604-1693.
Recent opportunities outside the classroom have included: Document study at The National Archives, The driving force of the Reformation at Hampton Court Palace, The Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial War Museum; Auschwitz – in conjunction with the LfA project; A Level History Conferences; 4 day visit to Berlin.