History

Subject Overview

History fires the curiosity and imagination of our students. Only by learning about the events and people that have shaped the past can students understand the world today and their place in it. History also develops enquiring minds and encourages students to ask questions and seek answers.

In lessons, students learn a variety of techniques, including source work to construct their own interpretations of the past through role plays, debates, audio-visual presentations and extended writing. Outside the classroom, students are given the opportunity to extend their learning with History visits to Lewes Castle in Year 7, the Imperial War Museum in Year 8 and a GCSE trip to London in Year 10.

Teaching and Learning

At KS3 students are taught History in mixed ability groups and follow the National Curriculum for History which aims to give students a chronological understanding of the social, political, economic and religious changes in Britain from the earliest times to the present day.

Year 7

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • What was Britain like before 1066?
  • How did the Normans control England?
  • Local History Case Study: Lewes Castle
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Medieval life
  • Church vs State: Why did Henry and Becket fall out?
  • King John and Magna Carta
  • What was the effect of the Black Death?
  • Why did the Peasants Revolt?
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • The Reformation and the Tudors
  • How significant was Elizabeth I?
  • The English Civil War

    • Year 8

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • The Industrial Revolution
  • The British Empire
  • The Slave Trade
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • The First World War
  • The Rise of Hitler
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • The Holocaust
  • The USA in the 20th Century
  • KS4 Course(s) offered
  • Specification (from September 2015 subject to Ofqual accreditation): Edexcel GCSE History (9-1)

    • Year 9

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • History Skills Module
  • Crime and Punishment through time, c1000-present day
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Crime and Punishment through time, c1000-present day
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • Whitechapel: Crime and Policing, c1870-1900
  • Revision and End of Year Examinations

    • Year 10

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88
  • Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39
  • Revision and End of Year Examinations

    • Year 11

  • Terms 1 and 2
  • Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39
  • Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91
  • Terms 3 and 4
  • Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91
  • Terms 5 and 6
  • GCSE Revision and Examinations

    • Assessment

    At KS3 students complete assessments during each module throughout the year and sit an end of year exam.

    At KS4 there is no controlled assessment or coursework in GCSE History. Students are required to sit three examinations at the end of Year 11.

    Homework

    In KS3 a 30 minute homework is set once per fortnight and at KS4 a 60 minute homework is set once per week. Examples of homework tasks set are source analysis, practice exam questions, extended writing and further reading.

    Homework is easily accessible to students through Show my Homework: https://peacehaven.showmyhomework.co.uk

    Teaching Staff

    Mr Colin Harris, Teacher of History and Humanities: charris@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk

    Curriculum

    Notices

    Need Help?

    Simply contact the school office via our telephone or email address. During term we aim to respond within 24 hours.

    01273 581100
    enquiries@pcs.e-sussex.sch.uk