History & Politics
Head of Department
Mr K Roche (kre@priorycofe.com)
Teaching Staff
Ms O Davies (from 15.04.24.)
Department Information
Departmental Aim: Develop enquiring minds to interpret the past.
We teach our students to become historically literate. Therefore we focus on source analysis, chronological understanding, cause and consequence and different historical perspectives.
Students acquire historical knowledge from different time periods and across a variety of countries and cultures.
KS3 Overview
Students in Key Stage Three are taught a modern and inclusive history curriculum that is built around small enquiries that feed into a broader theme, allowing students to explore the details of of historic events while also recognising patterns through exposure to a broad range of events from around the world.
- In year 7 students explore the concepts of religion, trade and power in Medieval England, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
- In Year 8 students will study the concepts of freedom, revolution and Empire in Europe, Asia and America.
- In Year 9 students will study the concepts of conflict, ideology and human rights in American, Britain, Ireland and Germany.
Curriculum Journey
Currently being updated and will be available soon.
KS4 Overview
History students at Key Stage Four will study Medicine Through Time 1250-present day; Early Elizabethan England; The American West and Weimar Germany and the Rise of the Nazis. At the end of the two year course they will sit the Edexcel GCSE exams for each of the units. Students will develop their skills in analysing causation, significance, source work and historical interpretations.
- Early Elizabethan England: 1558-1588
- Medicine in Britain; 1250-Present
- Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918 – 1939
- The American West, 1835–1895
Exam Board Specification
Enrichment Opportunities
We use active learning techniques in our lessons and students are encouraged to debate and explore the past in a variety of ways, including role play. We also use feature film and archive video footage to bring the past to life.
Students in Key stage 4 are all invited to attend our weekly drop in session where they can receive support and guidance from experienced staff.
We continually review opportunities for off site visits.