The study of History at Waddesdon School enables students to understand the modern world within the context of the last two millennia, thus creating an appreciation of how and why our world exists in its current form. The History curriculum takes students from the Vikings to 9/11, and in doing so explores the concepts of government, religion, migration, and imperialism in order to equip our students with detailed knowledge of both British and international history. As an extension of this, the study of History alerts students to the importance of questioning information in conjunction with appreciating the role which perspective plays in the creation of historical sources and interpretations. We feel that this is a skill essential not only to act as an effective historian – whether in Year 7 or Year 13 – but also to take into the adult world. When teaching, the History department prioritise knowledge of Tier Three vocabulary alongside the skill of extended writing in order to encourage the development of rich and confident language within our classrooms – and beyond. In summary, it is the intent of the History department and curriculum that our students leave with extended knowledge of the past, an instinct to question the origins of information they are presented with, and the ability to present their findings and judgements confidently and articulately.  

Year 7 Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Year 7

• An introduction to the historical concepts
• How diverse was Roman Britain?
• How did the Norman conquest change England?
• How did people live in the Medieval world?
• How does Medieval Mali compare to Medieval England?
• How did the Reformation change England?
• How significant were the Black Tudors?
• Why was there a Civil War in England?
• What were the causes of the French Revolution?

Year 8 Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Year 8:

• What was the Industrial Revolution and how did it impact peoples’ lives?
• What was Benin like before the slave trade?
• How was England involved in the slave trade and why was the trade abolished?
• What empires have existed in History?
• Why do people have different interpretations about the British Empire?
• What was the cause of the First World War?
• What were the experiences of people fighting in the First World War? Who were the ‘often forgotten armies’ and what do they reveal about the Western Front?
• What was the cause of the Second World War?
• How could the Holocaust happen?
• How effective was the American Civil Rights movement? How does it compare to the British Civil Rights Movement?

GCSE Overview

Many students choose to continue studying History at GCSE. They follow the AQA syllabus 8145. This covers a range of time periods and aspects of history:

Paper 1

• Section A: Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship
• Section B: Conflict and Tension between East and West, 1945-1972

Paper 2

• Section A: Britain: Migration, Empires and the People: c.790 to present day
• Section B:  Elizabethan England, c.1568-16

A-Level Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Years 12 and 13:

History at A Level is a popular option. Students study a combination of Early Modern and Modern History. The AQA syllabus requires the students to study the following units:

• Unit 1: The Tudors: England, 1485-1603 (1C)
• Unit 2: The Transformation of China, c.1936-1997 (2P)
• NEA:   The Development of Antisemitism 1848-1945

The History department run a series of trips including:

• Year 7 – Warwick Castle
• Year 8 – Bletchley Park
• GCSE – 4-day trip to Berlin

Additionally, there are opportunities within school, including a visit by a Holocaust survivor and talks from universities.

There are in-built opportunities for stretch and challenge within lessons, including challenging debates.

Additionally, the History department provide opportunities to enter essay writing competitions such as those run by the Historical Association.

The History department also provide reading, film and documentary lists which link to relevant subject areas for students to extend their contextual knowledge.