We study History to ask and answer questions about people in the past which help us to better understand our present.  We think it is important to develop your cultural capital by investigating historical narratives, debates and dilemmas locally, nationally and internationally.  We aim to make sure that you can evaluate evidence, identify and analyse different interpretations of the past and substantiate judgements that you make – all skills that will be prized in your life beyond Shenley Brook End School. 

In Year 7 and Year 8 students follow a largely thematic programme of study which explores the history of Britain from 1066 to the present day, investigating themes such as power, empire, slavery, equality, oppression, crime, nationalism and technology. Students learn through completing a series of historical enquiries such as ‘Were the Victorians right to be proud of the British Empire?’ Students learn to develop their extended writing skills and to examine, analyse and evaluate a range of historical source material. In Year 7 and 8 students are taught History in mixed ability form groups for 3 x 1 hour lessons per fortnight.

We use the following textbooks, alongside a wide variety of other resources in lessons:

• Wilkes, Invasion, Plague & Murder: Britain 1066-1509 (Oxford)
• Wilkes, Renaissance, Revolution & Reformation: Britain 1509-1745 (Oxford)
• Wilkes, Industry, Invention & Empire: Britain 1745-1901 (Oxford)
• Wilkes, Technology, War & Independence: 1901-Present Day (Oxford)

These are helpful website for you to use: www.schoolhistory.co.uk     www.spartacus-educational.com    www.bbc.co.uk/history

In Years 9, 10 & 11 students who opt to continue studying History at GCSE follow the AQA History specification (8145). It is a popular choice! Students are taught History by specialist history teachers in mixed ability groups for 5 x 1 hour lessons per fortnight at Key Stage 4.

The AQA GCSE History Specification is as follows:

Paper 1: Understanding the modern world

Section A: Period studies: 1B Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship

Section B: Wider world depth studies: Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

Paper 2: Shaping the nation

Section A: Thematic studies: 2A Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day

Section B: British depth studies including the historic environment: Norman England, c1066–c1100

The full specification can be accessed here: http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/history/specifications/AQA-8145-SP-2016.PDF

We use the following textbooks, alongside a wide variety of other resources in lessons:

• Bruce et al, Oxford AQA GCSE History Thematic Studies c.790-Present Day (Oxford)
• Waterson et al, Oxford AQA GCSE History British Depth Studies c.1066-1685 (Oxford)
• Ferriby et al, AQA GCSE History Understanding the Modern World (Hodder)

We recommend the purchase of the following Revision Guide:

• Jenner et al, My Revision Notes: AQA GCSE 9-1 History (Hodder) - ISBN 978-1510404045

History is also a popular choice at A Level. Students are taught in mixed ability groups by specialist teachers for 9 x 1 hour lessons per fortnight. They follow the AQA specification (7042):

Component 1C: The Tudors: England 1485-1603

Component 2N: Revolution & Dictatorship: Russia 1917-1953

Component 3: NEA

 The full specification can be accessed here:

http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/history/specifications/AQA-7041-7042-SP-2015.PDF

 Students work from their own copy of the following textbooks, in addition to a wide variety of departmental resources:

• Tillbrook, Oxford AQA History The Tudors: England 1485-1603 (Oxford)
• Rowe & Waller, Oxford AQA History Revolution & Dictatorship: Russia 1917-1953 (Oxford)

Sanders, Access to History: Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA 1850-2009 for Edexcel (Hodder)