Quotes

“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” – Harry S. Truman

“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” ― George Orwell

“History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” – David McCullough

Purpose

The history curriculum at Rushey Mead Academy sets out to provide our students with a coherent knowledge and understanding of key events, issues and people in Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We follow a thread throughout our curriculum which explores “who are the British” telling the stories of those who have travelled to this island and how this has created the Britain of today. We aim to equip our students with rich and powerful knowledge of the past and historical skills which will enable them to participate in rigorous academic debate. We follow a thread throughout our curriculum which explores “who are the British” telling the stories of those who have travelled to this island and how this has created the Britain of today, enriching this with local stories and ensuring representation of previously underrepresented histories.

Our curriculum considers four key areas:

  1. Political history – how the people are ruled
  2. Social history – how people lived and worked
  3. Ideology – religious beliefs etc
  4. Methods of historical enquiry – evaluating evidence and interpretations.

Key Stage 3 features and summary

History KS3 Half termly curriculum map Review (MISSING FILE)

KS3 curriculum map & knowledge organisers

Key Stage 4 features and summary

History KS4 Half termly curriculum map 2019 Year 10 (MISSING FILE)

History KS4 Half termly curriculum map 2019 Year 11 (MISSING FILE)

KS4 curriculum map & knowledge organiser

Assessment and feedback

KS3

In Year 7 all students will complete a baseline assessment designed.

There are four assessments in Years 7-9 including an EOY exam. Assessments are cumulative and include a range of question types designed to test retention of knowledge, application of knowledge and historical skills.

KS4

There is an end of topic assessment for each key topic, depending upon the unit, there will be 3 or 4 assessments. These are cumulative and include a range of GCSe question types designed to test retention of knowledge, application of knowledge and historical skills.

Feedback for all year groups follows the same pattern. Staff provide whole class feedback identifying common mistakes and misconceptions. Students will be given a copy of the whole class feedback sheet.

Feedback sessions may also include the use of visualisers to model answers, students will then re-draft paragraphs, questions or complete a new answer using the model as a guide.

Additionally staff may provide support to improve and make progress using a “walking, talking mock” and “microplanning”.

Exam Board

At Key Stage 3 units are designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding required by the Key Stage 3 History Programme of Study, from the National Curriculum.

At Key Stage 4 we follow the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History   

Useful websites and resources

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education
www.victorianweb.org
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/zk26n39

We also have our own twitter feed @rusheymeadhist where we share relevant articles, links and revision tips.

Further Reading KS3 History – Link (MISSING FILE)

Further Reading KS4 History – Link (MISSING FILE)

Co-curricular opportunities

History Study Club runs once a week enabling students across all years to access support and resources.

Year 11 Revision classes are run in the Spring Term.

There are also visits to places of historical interest, including a GCSE visit to the Galleries of Justice in Nottingham and Abbey Pumping Station.

Close links have been developed with the University of Leicester to offer master classes and University experience days.

KS3 visits have included The Holocaust Centre (Beth Shalom) where students had the opportunity to listen to and talk with a Holocaust survivor. Students also have opportunities to enrich their learning within school participating in workshops delivered by expert facilitators including Kwibuka 20 in partnership with The Holocaust Centre and Uganda 40 in conjunction with BBC Radio Leicester.

Hard boiled History Easter Egg Competition

Great Balloon debate

Link to local history opportunities: https://www.le.ac.uk/lahs/

https://www.leicester.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums-and-galleries/

Stretch and challenge opportunities

“Meanwhile, elsewhere” activities are intended to supplement the classroom-taught curriculum, widening students’ horizons and sparking curiosity.

Reading articles from BBC History magazines, Historical Association articles and accessing primary sources using the National Archives.

Homework

KS3: We set between 3 – 5 home works per term of one hour.

Homework tasks include learning spellings, definitions of key words and key knowledge. We also set revision quizzes using show my homework. Students may also be set creative home works which will require students to present recent topics in a different format.

KS4: We set 1 to 2 home works per fortnight of between one and two hours.

Homework tasks include learning spellings, definitions of key historical vocabulary and key knowledge. We also set revision quizzes using show my homework and GCSEPod. Students will also be expected to complete homework booklets designed to support retention of key knowledge. These are set after the completion of each topic to support spaced learning.

Revision advice

Information regarding how to revise and prepare for GCSE History at Rushey Mead can be found here

Additional information

Faculty Staff

Ms Henson (Subject Lead): [email protected]
Mr March (Subject Lead) [email protected]
Ms Robinson: [email protected]
Mr Ward: [email protected]
Mr Large: [email protected]
Ms Robertson: [email protected]