History / Politics
Achieving Excellence Beyond Belief
Curriculum - History / Politics
History
Subject Name: History
History Department Staff List:
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Helen Bacon-Curriculum Lead for History
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Jamie Green- Lead teacher of KS4 and House Achievement for year 11
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Corran Hallett- House Achievement for Determination
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Lauren Pattle- History Teacher
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Sam Watt- History Teacher
Department Vision & Ethos
INTENT
It is our intent for History at Sandy Secondary School to engage, encourage, inspire and challenge all pupils to develop their intellectual curiosity to learn about the development of British, European and world History. Pupils will be able to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the society & cultures that we live in. The History curriculum will help students to appreciate the importance of the British values of democracy, tolerance, justice and equality. This will prepare our students for life in modern Britain.
IMPLEMENTATION
How the curriculum is implemented through the development of knowledge and skills over time. At KS3 the breadth of the curriculum helps students to develop their understanding of the development of Britain from a feudal, semi-feudal to democratic society. Assessments are given every half term and at the end of each area of study. Exam questions are given from the years 7-11 modelled on the exam specification. Throughout each stage the course strengthens students contextual understanding ot the development of societies and the cultural and social values that developed across the period. Progression is mapped in a coherent way using assessment criteria across all key stages, allowing students to develop their higher level skills of analysis and evaluation. Regular extended writing allows students to develop their literacy and analytical skills, incorporating key ideas and vocabulary. Students develop their ability to show links and connections across time periods and establish the ability to assess significance. At KS4 students develop their literacy and evaluative skills further by following the Edexcel History course. There is the cope for students to develop informed and structured written arguments that focus on developments across society.
IMPACT
By the end KS3 pupils will be familiar with the developments in England c1000 to the end of the 20th century. Pupils will be able to describe details of various systems of government. The overview of the rule of monarchs and the role of the state and other institutions in England. Students will understand the importance of tolerance, democracy, liberal values and equality in britsih society.
By the end of KS4 pupils will be able to cross refernce across the various areas of study. Students will have developed an understanding of cause & effect by analysising changes in Law & order and the role of the rule of law in governing society. Pupils will be able to develop arguments about religious & cultural change and the position of female leaders in society based on the rule of Elizabeth I. They will be able to understand the impact of the Cold War and relations between the USA and the USSR and the influence on the development of post world war two society. Pupils will be able to explain in detail the development of society in Germany after WW1 and the impact of dictatorship and democracy.
By the end of KS5 students will be developed historains with a wide range of knowledge and contextual understanding of developments across different phases of history. The impact of cause and effect on the development of society and the rule of law in different societies in the 20th century. Students will have developed the ability to understand and interpret evidence and explain the utility of sources and the fact that there are different interpretations in history based on contextual knowledge and influences in society.
Homework Requirements:
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KS3: Year 7 are first set a skills booklet in the first half-term, which explores the key skills that history will be exploring over their time at KS3 history. Throughout KS3 history students complete a wide variety of homework’s, from research projects to posters. Students are set homework every half term and how long they have to complete it will vary on the homework task itself.
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KS4: Students are set homework every 2 weeks. There are different types of homework tasks that they must complete to help prepare students for exams. They may be set homework to create revision resources, but they also may have to research information which will help them within their lessons. Overall, homework at GCSE is to help students prepare for their exams through revision and subject knowledge.
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KS5: Homework is set on an ongoing basis depending on the lesson and work they are completing. There is an emphasis on independent research, revision and evaluation throughout A- Level history.
Attachments:
Curriculum Overviews:
Key Stage 3 History
Curriculum Overviews:
Key Stage 5 History
Curriculum Overviews:
Key Stage 4 History
Curriculum Map:
Key Stage 5 History
Politics
Subject Name: Politics
Politics Department Staff List:
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Mr J. Green - Lead of Politics
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Mr C. Meehan - Teacher of Politics
Department Vision & Ethos
INTENT
As a result of our curriculum, Sandy Secondary students will be inspired to:
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understand the disputes in current affairs, the news and social media.
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appreciate the importance and structure of British values and democracy, with a knowledge of where power lies.
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appreciate the importance and structure of American values and democracy; with a knowledge of where power lies.
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develop an interest in political ideas that have shaped the past and future in both daily life and the country.
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interpret, evaluate and comment on increasingly turbulent events in the government and politics of the 21st Century.
IMPLEMENTATION
In order to realise our vision, our curriculum will provide students with opportunities to:
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debate political issues and appreciate that successful democracy is all about how society manages differing opinions.
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understand the key similarities and differences between the US and UK political systems.
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demonstrate understanding of the different political ideologies present in the British political system.
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develop essay writing skills by analysing and evaluating key arguments and being able to support these with specific examples.
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use enquiring minds to investigate just what is going on in the world today and why.
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build on skills in research, communication and team building.
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learn how political decisions are made.
IMPACT
The impact of our curriculum will be evidenced in:
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students’ promotion of compromise and concession as well as strength of conviction.
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enjoyment of discussion and acceptance that there are no right or wrong answers.
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well rounded students who champion that it’s through politics that many important questions are answered and global challenges are addressed.
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encouraging other students to recognise just how great an influence politics has on us all.
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strong examination results with an increasing number of students who use politics in their future destinations.
Above all, our students are aware of the structure and functions of government, that political conflict does occur, and that democracy is the right way to participate and resolve issues.
Attachments:
Subject Information Overview:
Politics Option Booklet Sept 2022
Curriculum Map:
Politics Curriculum Map Sept 2022