History

“The supreme purpose of history is a better world.” - Herbert Hoover

Subject Overview
History at The Forest School aims to empower every student to become an active citizen capable of making a significant impact on the world around them informed by a rich understanding of the past. Students are supported in every lesson to enquire, investigate and think critically. Diverse case studies are used to inspire curiosity in students, learning from the greatest examples of human triumph to help shape their historic and cultural identity.

Our high-quality history education aims to support students to develop their chronological understanding of history at a variety of scales, building a sense of heritage rooted in their local area but also as a part of Britain and its complex and changing relationship with Europe and the world. Students study the process of change, and become skilled at assessing significance along with cause and consequence.

History in our school is complemented by other Humanities subjects and benefits greatly from a centrally planned curriculum and quality first teaching that has the highest expectations of students’ progress and achievement.

Curriculum Intent
The History Curriculum at The Forest School aims to ensure that every student can Aspire to Become Elite by:

• Knowing and understanding the history of the United Kingdom as a chronological narrative, from the earliest migrants to the present day. Students will understand how Britain has influenced and been influenced by Europe and the wider world.
• Gaining a rich knowledge of significant aspects of history from before the Norman Invasion of 1066 as well as after it.
• Studying a wide range of source material as part of historical enquiry to draw independent and well-supported conclusions.
• Understanding the connections between: 
  • Local, regional, national and international history
  • Cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history
  • Long and short-term timescales.

History contributes to the school’s ASPIRE ethos by:

• The curriculum supports the acquisition of knowledge and challenges the perceptions and/or misconceptions students may have, for example within the Immigration module.
• Students are challenged to develop their own arguments, as they are treated as Historians throughout the curriculum.
• Real world examples of a growth mindset in action are frequently given to students, to show everyone can aspire to become elite.
• British values are taught through the ideas of democracy and dictatorships, slavery and empire, terrorism and warfare.
• Current affairs are used as a link to past events, with students encouraged to discuss political ideas, current events and share their opinion.

Curriculum Implementation and Impact
In Years 7-8, students have a weekly 100 minute lesson delivered by a subject specialist. Students complete a baseline assessment at the beginning of Year 7, with progress measured thereafter through ongoing teacher assessment in lessons. End of module assessments receive a percentage score and a progress grade, enabling students and families to reflect on progress each half term.

In Years 9-11, students who have opted for GCSE History complete 3x100 minute lessons each fortnight delivered by a subject specialist. Students receive ongoing teacher assessment and feedback, which helps to support their progress towards graded end of module assessments. Students will complete end of year exams in Years 9-10, with two mock exams in Year 11 taken in the Autumn and Spring Terms.

In Years 12-13, students who have opted for A Level History complete 5x100 minute lessons each fortnight. Students complete graded end of module assessment, with ongoing progress measured by a range of teacher assessments.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–8):

Year 7: Early Migration to England, the Norman Conquest, Threats to Power during Medieval Britain, The Tudors, The Renaissance, Industry and Empire 1700-1900.

Year 8: The Transatalantic Slave Trade, the World at War 1918-1945, the World Since 1945, the History of Human Rights, the History of Genocide.

Key Stage 4 (Years 9 - 11) - GCSE History (AQA):

• Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day
• America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and inequality
• Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972
• Elizabethan England, c1568–1603

Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13) - A Level History (AQA):

• The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
• The Cold War, c1945–1991

Enrichment Opportunities
Students are encouraged to join us on a wide range of enrichment visits including Berlin, the Imperial War Museum and the Battlefields of World War 1.

Curious about the curriculum
Students are encouraged to read widely (see below) as well as embrace the wide range of historical resources which can be found on sources such as BBC iPlayer and Netflix (following age ratings and guidance).

Looking for something to read

• Hard Times by Charles Dickens
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian

Contact Information
If you'd like to find out more please contact Mr B Wilcox, Subject Leader on bwilcox@forest.academy