welcome to history
The History department is based in a suite of three rooms on the humanities corridor. There are seven full-time teachers, six are history specialists and one is non-specialist. (Where history may be their second subject).
Students in KS3 have one lesson of history a week and KS4/ Post 16 students have three lessons per week.
Wednesday afternoon is used for departmental training and staff training.
As well as formal teaching in a classroom situation our students take part in off-site activities and other special events designed to compliment and excite their learning experience.
Below are examples taken from our 2005/06 calendar.
Yr 8 - Field visit to Hartlepool Historic Quay
Yr 10 - Field visit to Belgium to complete GCSE coursework relating to the battlefields of World 1.
Yr13 - Student Conference Focus Unit 6 Nazi Germany in London
Department Staff
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Mrs S Wardell | Head of Department |
| Ms S Green | Teacher of History |
| Mrs C Hodgson | Teacher of History / Advanced Skills Teacher |
| Mr A Jordan | Teacher of History / Head of Post 16 |
| Mr P Latham | Teacher of History / Deputy Principal |
| Miss E Snape | Teacher of History / G&T Co-ordinator |
| Miss R Wilkinson | Teacher of History / Advanced Skills teacher |
Syllabus
Key Stage 3
In year 7, 8 and 9 the students follow the National Curriculum for History. They learn about significant individuals and events from the history of Britain from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. They also learn about key aspects of European and world history. They show their understanding by making connections between events and changes in different periods and areas studied, and by comparing structures of societies and economic, cultural and political developments. They evaluate and use sources of information, using their historical knowledge to analyse the past and explain how it can be represented and interpreted in different ways.
In History, students acquire and apply knowledge, skills and understanding in five main areas:
- chronological understanding
- knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past
- historical interpretation
- historical enquiry
- organisation and communication
These aspects of knowledge, understanding and skills are developed in the programme of study for history through three British studies, a European study and two world studies
GCSE KS4
This involves the study of key events, people, changes and issues identified through key questions and focus points in the core, depth studies and coursework units. For example, the core is an outline study of international relations between 1919 and 1989, and charts major changes such as the collapse of international peace in the 1930s, and the collapse of communism in Europe in the 1980s. Each of the key questions defines a key issue such as, "To what extent was the League of Nations a success?" Key events such as the signing of the peace treaties in 1919-20, the invasion of Manchuria in 1931, and the Cuban missile crisis are included, as are the roles of key people such as Lloyd George, Hitler and Gorbachev. Nazi Germany 1919-45 looking at the key features and characteristics such as the impact of defeat after World War 1, the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party and life in Nazi Germany.
Students study a significant element of British history. Building on the knowledge, skills and understanding acquired at KS 3. This forms the British Depth Study which requires a study of social change in Britain between 1906 and 1918
The students complete two pieces of coursework relating to the first World War. This is worth 25% of the final mark and it is supported by a visit abroad to the First World War battlefields of the Somme.
Assessment: Public Examination (Paper 1 and Paper 2)
Coursework
The course is taught using a variety of learning environments, techniques and strategies. It is supported by using a range of sources of information, including ICT, such as written and visual sources, artefacts, oral accounts and buildings and sites.
Examination Results
GCSE's |
|
|---|---|
| Year | Percentage A* - C Grades |
2005 |
71% |
2006 |
74% |
A Level |
||
|---|---|---|
| Year | A - C Grades | A - E Grades |
2005 |
100% |
100% |
2006 |
40% |
100% |
Post 16 History
'A' Level History at Macmillan Academy enables you to explore major British and European and World developments from about 1880 until the present day. You will study the origins of these developments, their impact at the time and their impact on our lives today. As part of your studies you will learn the skills of analysis and interpretation and you will be able to form balanced arguments in response to given problems.
You will be able to choose to study the subject for one year, and gain an Advanced Subsidiary (AS) qualification. You will be able to stop there if you wish, or you can continue for a further year and complete the full 'A' Level.
During the first year you will study 3 modules. Each of these modules will study a different aspect of British, European or World history using a variety of sources and techniques. The details of these modules are as follows:-
Unit 1 - The Seeds of Evil: the rise of National Socialism in Germany to 1933
(Unit 3 will be examined by a 1 hr paper)
In the second year you will have the opportunity to study three further modules to give you a full 'A' Level qualification. Details of these modules are as follows:
Unit 2 - Welfare and Constitution: the Liberal Government 1905 - 1915
This unit will discuss the crucial question: why did the Liberal Party decline so dramatically after the landslide victory of 1906?
(Unit 2 will be examined by a 50minute paper)
Unit 3 - Origins of World War I, 1878 - 19 14
This unit includes a study of the political and diplomatic clashes between the two main European Power groups and how this led to the cataclysm of World War I.
(Unit 1 will be assessed by a Coursework assignment of 1750 - 2750 words in total and will examine the topic in depth)
Unit 4 - Individual Assignment
This unit provides students with an opportunity to research a historical topic of their own choice (under the guidance of a teacher). The Individual Assignment will be worth 15% of the total subject mark and will be completed under controlled conditions.
Unit 5 - The Making of Modern Russia 1856-1964
This unit explores the similarities and differences between Tsarist Russia and Communist Russia
(Unit 5 will be assessed by a coursework assignment of 2,000 - 3,000 words)
Unit 6 - Hitler and the Nazi State: Power and Control 1933-1939
This unit explores issues such as how popular was Nazi rule in Germany 1933-39, and was Hitler 'master in the Third Reich' or 'weak dictator'
(Unit 6 will be examined by a one hour and 45 minute paper.