History

GCSE History

INTENT

The GCSE Historical curriculum at Edith Kay Independent School has been designed with regard to the personal and social aspects that aid the building of the well-rounded character of the pupils at the school. The primary aim of the History curriculum is to provide pupils with an understanding of the history, cultural, and social makeup of the United Kingdom, the world, as well as London itself. The secondary aim of the History curriculum is to facilitate cross-curricular links with the core subjects of English and PSHE.

By the end of each academic year, pupils must be able to produce evidence of their understanding of the required examination skills. However, as part of the socialisation process, pupils will display signs of informed questioning and historical inquisitiveness.

Implementation

As the curriculum relies upon a vast array of diverse resources, pupils are provided with opportunities to access history in a way that is unique and more interactive for Edith Kay School. Pupils benefit from three History lessons per week and the chance to visit sites that are relevant to their learning. Each pupil has a specifically tailored programme which utilises scaffolded pedagogical practice as a foundation for all learning. EHCPs are used to inform planning for each lesson. Difficult subjects are sensitively handled in order to ensure a greater experience of learning within the classroom.

As History requires a large number of extensive thinking skills to be developed, historical first and second-order concepts being at the heart of the course, each lesson factors in a new skill. The curriculum is sequenced to allow attempts in at least one element of exam skill practice during each lesson so as to build the academic confidence of our pupils. Learning is carefully sequenced into modular sections, with each section aimed to be completed by the end of each term. This was designed to provide an element of structure for both the pupils and the department.

The History modules currently provided by Edith Kay Independent School are:

Conflict and Tension: The First World War
Germany, 1890-1945
Restoration England, 1660-1685
Migration, Empires, and the People

These modules were selected considering the locality of the school, as well as the cultural and social value that they provide to pupils. With London possessing a vast array of historical monuments, museums, artefacts, and more, it was decided to implement this programme in full.

Impact

By the end of the course, pupils must be able to decide the historical significance of their learning, as well as be able to understand the context of their locality. This is important considering the nature of the school, as well as the utility of history in the lives of children and young people. Pupils will also have potentially achieved a GCSE accreditation in the subject, depending on their ability and level.

A-Level History

INTENT

The A-Level History curriculum at Edith Kay Independent School has been designed to build upon the personal and social aspects that were developed at GCSE. One of the primary aims is to develop a level of autonomy and an independent work ethic that can cope with the challenge of Key Stage 5 study. This is coupled together with increasing academic expectations for the pupils through greater quantities and layers of extracurricular work. The skills taught at GCSE will have prepared the pupils for their A-Level study, such as comparing and contrasting, cause and consequence, evaluating and analysis, interpretation, and source work. These skills blend nicely into the scaffolded step up into Key Stage 5.

Implementation

The way in which the A-Level is taught is through a side-by-side approach in which both modules are taught together over the course of two years. The modules that are currently being taught are:

1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007

However, due to the nature of the Russian history module, the course can only be fully examined as an A-Level. The unique nature of the Russian history module is incredibly rewarding, and we are one of the few schools in London and the United Kingdom to teach this module. This is combined with 20/21st Century Britain in order to provide a contrast to the different time periods of study. The British history module has many modern applications and is one that is closest to our current social context.

Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment takes pupils through the twists and turns of the beginnings of the Russian Empire to the time of Russia’s most famous rulers – Peter the Great to Catherine the Great. Filled with palace intrigue, landmark reform, journeys across Europe, devious plots, rebellions, and scandal – pupils apply their knowledge from GCSE by analysing sources from the imperial court and wider Europe. The extended writing that students undertook at GCSE is transitioned steadily into more academic levels of work through the integration of historical interpretations and evaluation. This is similar to the Making of Modern Britain in which we study the development of Britain as we know it but in a more factorised form. We look at cultural elements of the 1960s and the changing status of women through the final three decades of the twentieth century. Politics and Sociology factor nicely into the History A-Level, providing many cross-curricular links.

Impact

Pupils are provided with lessons based on their needs and ability, but the end goal remains the same. The A-Level History course aims to provide all pupils with a full A-level qualification by the end of their studies. Pupils are assisted along the way with personalised lessons, dedicated support and advice, detailed feedback, and a chance to build academic and personal confidence. Upon successful completion of the course, pupils will be able to receive a fully accredited A-Level qualification, as well as the skills for higher education and beyond.