History
Overview of History
History is a vital subdiscipline within the Humanities, dedicated to the study of past events, societies, and cultures. By examining historical events and their impact, students gain a deeper understanding of how the world has evolved and how past actions influence the present and future.
Purpose of History
The primary purpose of studying History is to cultivate informed and empathetic global citizens who can critically analyse past events and understand their significance. Through the study of History, students learn about the triumphs and challenges of previous generations, gaining insights into human behaviour, societal changes, and cultural developments. This knowledge helps students appreciate the complexities of the world and fosters a sense of connection to the broader human experience.
What makes History at TWA Special?
At The Wisbech Academy, we aim to create a vibrant learning environment where students can delve into the rich tapestry of human history, exploring diverse cultures and significant historical events. By engaging with History, students develop critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and a deeper understanding of how past events shape the present and future. Our curriculum encourages students to analyse historical sources, understand different perspectives, and draw connections between historical events and contemporary issues. This approach not only enhances their appreciation of history but also complements their scientific and technological education, ensuring they are well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate and contribute to a complex, interconnected world.
Aims
- Develop Historical Knowledge and Understanding: Ensure students gain a coherent knowledge of Britain’s past and that of the wider world, understanding significant events, people, and changes over time.
- Cultivate Critical Thinking Skills: Encourage students to analyse, evaluate, and synthesize historical information from various sources to form well-rounded perspectives.
- Foster Empathy and Cultural Awareness: Promote understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, histories, and belief systems to build empathetic global citizens.
- Enhance Communication Skills: Improve students’ ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, through historical narratives and analyses.
- Promote Personal and Social Responsibility: Build a sense of responsibility towards oneself, others, and the environment, encouraging active participation in the community through historical understanding.
- Encourage Ethical and Moral Reasoning: Develop students’ ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and make informed decisions based on historical contexts and values.
- Support Personal Development and Well-being: Equip students with the skills and knowledge to manage their personal well-being and navigate social and economic challenges through historical insights.
- Prepare for Future Opportunities: Ensure students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful and fulfilling future, fostering confidence and self-belief through the study of history.
- Understand Historical Concepts: Teach students to understand and use historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and significance to make connections and draw contrasts.
- Engage in Historical Enquiry: Equip students with the methods of historical enquiry, including how to use evidence rigorously to make historical claims and understand contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past.
Welcome to KS3 History
At KS3 History, students embark on a dynamic and thought-provoking journey through time, exploring the events, people, and ideas that have shaped our world. Our curriculum is designed to build historical knowledge and critical thinking skills, while encouraging students to challenge assumptions and engage with diverse perspectives.
Year 7 Curriculum
In Year 7, students explore the Middle Ages, using Warwick Castle as a case study to understand medieval society, the feudal system, and the impact of events like the Norman Conquest and the Black Death. They then move on to the Tudor period, examining the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, the English Reformation, and the cultural shifts of the Elizabethan Golden Age.
Students also study World War I, focusing on its global scale, life in the trenches, the role of women, and the local impact on Wisbech. This local-global approach helps students connect personally with the past and reflect on how history shapes identity and memory.
Year 7 Topics may include:
- How did England compare to the world in the Middle Ages?
- 1066 – Who should be King?
- What was life like in a medieval castle?
- Why did Henry VIII break from the Catholic Church?
- What was the impact of the Reformation on ordinary people?
- How did World War I affect people at home and abroad?
- What can Wisbech tell us about the global impact of WWI?
Year 8 Curriculum
In Year 8, students deepen their understanding of power, change, and society through a series of transformative historical periods. They begin with a revisit of the Tudors, consolidating their knowledge before moving into the English Civil War, where they explore the causes of conflict, the execution of a king, and the rise of parliamentary power.
Next, students investigate the Industrial Revolution, examining how technological and social changes reshaped Britain and the world. The year concludes with a powerful study of World War II, including the Holocaust, encouraging students to reflect on human rights, resistance, and remembrance.
Year 8 Topics may include:
- What caused the English Civil War?
- Why was the execution of Charles I so significant?
- How did the Industrial Revolution change lives?
- What were the causes and consequences of World War II?
- How should we remember the Holocaust?
Our Approach
Across KS3, students develop key historical skills such as:
- Source analysis and interpretation
- Analytical writing and argument construction
- Debate and discussion, encouraging empathy and critical thinking
We challenge students to rethink traditional narratives – for example, by highlighting the active role of African Americans in the abolition of slavery, and to consider how history is remembered and represented.
From local heritage with figures to national milestones and global events such as the World Wars, our KS3 History curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand the past and its relevance to the present.