Rationale
Through an exciting and ambitious mixture of broad and in-depth studies, our history students will develop a chronological understanding of major historical events within Britain and the wider world. By studying a diverse range of history, students will build an appreciation of how different places and people experience the past. This awareness of diversity in the past will be combined with the study of controversial and challenging debates in history to help develop students into ethical, informed citizens. Students will become successful and resilient historians who have the skills to critically analyse primary sources, evaluate historical interpretations, and justify their own conclusions about matters central to history such as cause, consequence, change, continuity, and significance.
Overview
KS3
GCSE
A Level
Homework
KS3
At KS3 students will be set a piece of history homework every 3 weeks. Homework will primarily focus on retrieval practice using a variety of techniques, such as, knowledge organizes and quizzes. In addition, some homework will focus on broadening the history curriculum by looking at areas of history we do not currently cover in lesson. For example, while students are studying the Battle of Hastings their homework may give them the opportunity to investigate what else was going on in a different country and culture at the time. Or alternatively, homework may be used to focus on ‘hidden voices’, for example, the experiences of female rulers in the medieval period.
In addition to the above, class teachers may also set individual tasks if they feel this is appropriate. This may include but is not limited to completion of class work and individual research.
Year 10
All year 10 students will be set a weekly quiz which will range between 10-20 questions. The aim is to allow students to revisit the content they’ve have learnt in the previous year to help them revisit and embed the historical knowledge previously learnt. All quizzes are set without a time limit to enable students time to consult their notes for any questions they are unsure. Each quiz can be completed up to 3 times and it is expected students will repeat the quiz if they do not achieve at least 75% on their first attempt.
In addition, individual class teachers may also set individual tasks when they feel it is appropriate. These tasks will take a variety of forms including but not limited to; research, note-taking, creating revision materials and written exam practice.
Year 11
Throughout year 11 students will be expected to sit several in class tests to help prepare them for their final GCSE exams. Therefore, all year 11 homework is designed to help prepare and support students in these tests. Before each test students will be given a booklet which will contain a range of revision activities focusing on revisiting content learnt in year’s 9 and 10. In addition, the booklet will include a number of challenge activities which will move the focus of revision from content to exam skill practice. These challenge activities will include guidance on how to answer specific exam questions, example answers and an opportunity for the student to practice their own written answers.
Year 12
In year 12 history students will be expected to complete 2 pieces of homework per week, one for each unit of the course studied. These pieces will be set on a weekly basis by the class teacher and will take a variety of forms including, but not limited to; researching a historical event or period in preparation for a class debate, reading the works of academic historians, preparing for a group presentations and producing written exam answers. In addition, students will be expected to conduct weekly independent reading to extend their understanding of the periods studied. To help students make the most of this independent reading they will be provided with links to relevant articles, websites and books from which they can choose to focus their reading.
Year 13
In year 13 history students will be expected to complete 2 pieces of homework per week, one for each unit of the course studied. These pieces will be set on a weekly basis by the class teacher and will take a variety of forms including, but not limited to; researching a historical event or period in preparation for a class debate, reading the works of academic historians, preparing for a group presentations, producing written exam answers and revising the content studied in the previous year. As history students in year 13 are required to write a 3-4,000 word non examined assessment several of the class homeworks set will be centered around reading different historical interpretations, finding relevant primary sources and submitting written portions of their NEA. In addition, students will be expected to conduct weekly independent reading to extend their understanding of the Warfare Through Time unit. To help students make the most of this independent reading they will be provided with links to relevant articles, websites and books from which they can choose to focus their reading.