History aims to provide students with an understanding of the historical changes that have created the world we live in today and how and why those changes happened.

In Key Stage 3 students to study key aspects of the history of Britain and the wider world. Questions include: What was life like in Medieval Britain? What were the achievements of the Islamic Civilisations? What was the impact of the Civil War on Britain? Is it possible to really understand what it was like to be a soldier on the Western Front during World War One? How did the role of women in society change? How should we remember the Holocaust?

In Key Stage 4 History is a popular optional subject that appeals to students of all abilities. GCSE results are consistently among the highest in the school and students regularly exceed expectations.  Students study OCR’s Schools History Project (1935A) which encourages them to develop both their historical skills and knowledge, and builds on the work they have completed at Key Stage 3.

Staff:
•    Mrs D Howard – Director of Specialism / Head of Department – dhoward@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
•    Ms J Griffiths – jgriffiths@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
•    Ms J McKevitt – jmckevitt@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
•    Mrs D Street – dstreet@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk


Specialised pupil equipment required:
All students are expected to bring a minimum of pencil, pen, ruler and their history folder to every lesson. All students in KS4 are expected to bring the textbook they have been issued with to every lesson.


Course descriptors for KS3 and KS4:
AUTUMN TERM:
Yr 7 – Introduction – 1. Who do you think you are? 2. Britain 1066- 1500 – Norman Conquest and Life in Medieval Britain
Yr 8 – Britain 1500 – 1750- The Tudors and the English Civil War.
Yr 9 – Twentieth Century World. 1. World War One with focus on the Western Front. 2. Russia and America between the Wars.
Yr 10 – OCR Schools History Project – The American West.
Yr 11 - OCR Schools History Project – Medicine and Health Through Time.    

SPRING TERM: 
Yr 7 –Britain 1066- 1500 – King John and the later Medieval period.
Yr 8 – Britain and the Wider World – Revolution and Slavery.
Yr 9 – Twentieth Century World. 1. Germany between the wars. 2. World War Two.
Yr 10 – OCR Schools History Project – The American West. Medicine and Health Through Time.
Yr 11 - OCR Schools History Project – Modern World Study, the Arab Israeli Conflict.    

SUMMER TERM:
Yr 7 Contrasting Civilisations – the Islamic World and the Crusades.
Yr 8 – Britain and the Wider World – Reform and the Changing Role of Women in Society.
Yr 9 – Twentieth Century World. 1. World War Two including the Holocaust. 2. The World after 1945.
Yr 10 – OCR Schools History Project –Medicine and Health Through Time and Local History Study – Cambridge Fairs.
Yr 11 - OCR Schools History Project – Revision and Review.

Trips planned for this academic year: