The study of History – to understand, analyse and interpret the past – is important both because of its own inherent value and also to help understand, analyse and interpret the present.
To elaborate, we aim to encourage a love of History in our students though the study of the stories, controversies and events of the past, because the development of such rich and entertaining knowledge is valuable in itself. Such study also allows students to place themselves and the UK in the rich tapestry of global human history. Moreover, History develops skills that are vital in the modern world, such as the ability to create and deliver logical arguments, view information with academic scepticism and to debate and evaluate issues in depth.
At Holcombe we aim to deliver the following ambitious outcomes for our students through our curriculum. Students will:
All students study History at KS3. Their study of history helps to develop literacy skills whilst developing an understanding of the past and their place in the current world. Students will be able to consider a range of different historical interpretations and to develop their own views on a range of topics and individuals, through the use of contemporary source material. They will be encouraged to engage in structured historical research and develop core skills of benefit to them, not only in History, but across the wider curriculum.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will study a diverse range of topics including ‘Hastings: 1066 and Beyond’, ‘The Slave Trade’, ‘The Causes of the First World War’ and ‘The English Civil War.’
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
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Original Settlers in Britain | History of Trauma and Crisis in Britain | The Tudors | Stuarts and the English Civil War | Great Mysteries of History | The Eccentrics of History |
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
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Victorian Life | The Suffrage Movement | The Slave Trade | Genocides around the World | First World War: The Global Perspective | The Cold War |
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
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Legacy of the British Empire | The History of South Africa | Dictators around the World | The Development of the USA: 1929-2000 | The Development of the USA: 1929-2000 | The Development of the USA: 1929-2000 |
GCSE History is a successful and popular subject at Holcombe Grammar School, with a clear path of progression to A Level study. It is taught by fully qualified and experienced teachers.
The Department aims to provide an engaging and interesting syllabus that teaches pupils a range of thematic issues and historical skills. Pupils will develop a range of historical skills such as the use of source work, comparison, validity and interpretation that will support the development of high levels of literacy.
Assessment will be entirely exam based, with all exams at the end of the course. The combined exams will take 4 hours.
Students will study a diverse range of topics including ‘Germany in Transition: 1919-39’, ‘Development of the USA: 1929-2000’, ‘Changes in Health and Medicine: c500-Present’ and ‘The Elizabethan Age: 1558-1603’.
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
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Germany in Transition: 1919-1939 | Germany in Transition: 1919-1939 | Germany in Transition: 1919-1939 | The Elizabethan Age: 1558-1603 | The Elizabethan Age: 1558-1603 | The Elizabethan Age: 1558-1603 |
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
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Development in the USA: 1929-2000 | Development of the USA: 1929-2000 | Development of the USA: 1929-2000 | GCSE Revision and Exam Skills | GCSE Revision and Exam Skills | GCSE Exams |
The study of History will provide a sound basis for both further education and entering the world of work. History provides vital forensic and literary skills and is a sound basis for professions where concise, accurate reporting is important. Students will develop a range of skills which will be of significant use to them both in further education and future employment. The study of History helps students to improve as effective and individual learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers. Students will learn to question the world around them rather than to simply accept the views and beliefs of others.
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
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Britain 1625-1701: Conflict … Russia in Revolution:1894-1924 | Britain 1625-1701: Conflict … Russia in Revolution:1894-1924 | Britain 1625-1701: Conflict … Russia in Revolution:1894-1924 | Britain 1625-1701: Conflict … Russia in Revolution:1894-1924 | Britain 1625-1701: Conflict … Russia in Revolution:1894-1924 | Revision, Recap and Exam Skills, GCE Coursework |
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
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Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA: 1950-2009, GCE Coursework | Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA: 1850-2009, GCE Coursework | Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA: 1850-2009, GCE Coursework | Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA: 1850-2009, GCE Coursework | Revision, Recap and Exam Skills |
Home learning is supported and greatly encouraged by the History Department. This is enabled through blended learning opportunities and the availability of a wide range of resources, many of which are available online and some of which can be borrowed from department members. Both whole class and one to one support, where appropriate, can be delivered through a range of ways including the use of Microsoft Teams, SMHW and email.
The study of history offers clear preparation for a wide range of university courses. It also prepares students for the world of work by developing a wide range of transferable skills such as investigation, organisation and communication. Students will prepare for university study by developing as effective and independent learners, and as critical and thinking learners with lively, curious and enquiring minds.
British Values are at the very core of History at Holcombe Grammar School. During students’ time studying History, they will be given the opportunity to understand why Britain is the way it is for them. Throughout our curriculum we look explicitly at all of the fundamental British Values., with the curriculum providing a wide and varied range of examples allowing students to consider British Values and the role they play in shaping our diverse and tolerant society. Some of these opportunities are identified below: