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Intent

The History Department at the Leigh UTC will light a fire of curiosity and passion in every pupil at KS3 and KS4. The curriculum is designed to inspire and engage pupils through in depth historical enquiry. We ask conceptual questions of the past and together will explore historical knowledge, historical sources and historical interpretation in order to explore and debate the answers. We intend to expose the pupils of The Leigh UTC to knowledge that is powerful and significant to their community both locally, nationally and internationally. We want them to be empowered to tackle the issues that face their peers, their parents and the people of Dartford and the surrounding areas.

Implementation

At KS3 pupils will explore three different historical time periods. Within those periods we will tackle complex themes such as conquest, persecution, religion, power and protest.

In Year 7 pupils will throw themselves into an exploration of the medieval Period. Religious ideas and conflict will transport students from the confines of Medieval Britain to the Islamic states and a fight for the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Students will open their minds to religious practices of the medieval period and experience a narrative that juxtaposes contemporary views of Christian and Islamic churches. 

After Christmas students will live the life of an Anglo-Saxon who has seen their country invaded and conquered and they will examine the impact of this conquest on their day to day life. The Norman Conquest impacted every part of England including Dartford therefore it is vital that students gain an understanding of where a lot of their local history began.

At Easter students will examine examples of significant historical protest in the Middle Ages and think about how the nation has been shaped by our medieval ancestors. Actions of the Peasants’ Revolt where Dartford was a keen protagonist, the significance of Magna Carta on Medieval Kingship and its role in law today are all of vital importance to these students.

At KS3 pupils will explore three different historical time periods. Within those periods we will tackle complex themes such as conquest, persecution, religion, power and protest.

In Year 8 pupils will dive into the progressive and idealistic Early Modern Period. Religious conflict will this time be centred around religious divide in England brought about by the creation of the Church of England in the 16th century and the ensuing divide the country faced. For the students it is an understanding of a religion that plays a major part in the governing of their country, decisions made by the Church of England affect their community and how it operates.

Fast forward two hundred years and students will be asked to examine the British Empire and its controversial role in the slave trade. Working in a diverse community on the outskirts of Greater London it is vital that students have a keen understanding of the role of this country on those of African descent, many of whom have since migrated to England from countries that used to be part of the British Empire and settled in areas such as the South-East.

Year 8 will return to the theme of Protest this time looking at the fight of the working classes to get the vote in the 19th century. Students must come away with an understanding of the role of the public as the beating heart of the country’s democratic structures.

At KS3 pupils will explore three different historical time periods. Within those periods we will tackle complex themes such as conquest, persecution, religion, power and protest.

In Year 9 pupils will be invited to empathise with the plight of the Jewish faith with a particular focus around the 20th century. An exploration of Judaism culminating in an in depth focus around the Holocaust will provide students with the knowledge and understanding of a race that has been religiously persecuted throughout its history. A race that has contributed to the development of this country

This context will provide useful for a study of the Second World War where once again the theme of conquest will be evaluated.

Finally the foundations of our modern democracy are tested and shaped with an examination of protest in the 20th century.

Curriculum End Points

By the end of year 11 students will be able to build on their work at 7-10:

Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman England period, the events of 1066 and how those events shaped England in the decades immediately afterwards. 

Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of the cold war period – why and how things happened and occurred the way they did and the real world implications those events had at the time and today,

  • Explain how events have consequences by demonstrating through historical examples the consequences of historical events both in the short term and the long term. 
  • Explain the narrative of a historical event or events by linking historical knowledge together in a chronological and well selected order of events. 
  • Effectively analyse and explain the significance of certain events or individuals on pre selected historical time periods.

Curriculum Overview

  • Modules 1-3: Anglo-Saxon & Norman England
  • Modules 4-6: Superpower Relations and the Cold War

By the end of year 10 students will be able to build on their work at 7-9

Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of the Weimar Republic and its constitution with a view to comprehending the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party within the 1920s and 30s. Then how the Nazi state was governed and the impact of this on the populace. 

Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of how medicine has progressed over time from the medieval period to today, Judge the significance of certain factors in relation to why progression occurred or didn’t. 

  • Judge historical sources for inference and provide accurate evidence from the source and their own contextual knowledge. 
  • Accurately and effectively judge historical sources for their utility and successfully identify sources they could use to expand their historical enquiry. 
  • Knowledge of themes within medicine such as treatment or prevention and how these things have changed and continued over time. 
  • Explain the cause of historical events/moments with well selected pieces of historical knowledge that support their choice of causes. 
  • Analyse historical interpretations of events to comprehend differences in historical interpretation and consider why they might be different. 
  • Structure and write a balanced and sustained argument that will incorporate historical interpretations in a bid to create their own interpretation.

Curriculum Overview

  • Modules 1-3: Weimar & Nazi Germany
  • Modules 4-6: Medicine Through Time

By the end of Year 9 students will be able to

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of three historical themes within the modern period of the 20th century. Persecution through a study of the Holocaust, Power through a study of WW1 and WW2 and Protest through the Suffragettes and Race Riots within the UK. 

  • Comprehend, Infer and analyse historical – for their utility. 
  • Explain multiple reasons of historical significance. 
  • Evaluate historical significance to make a judgement on what is the most significant and explain
  • Analyse historical sources for their utility around a historical enquiry
  • Evaluate historical interpretations to create their own interpretation.

Curriculum Overview

  • Modules 1 & 2 – Persecution & Religion: Judaism
  • Modules 3 & 4 – Persecution & Conquest: The Second World War
  • Modules 5 & 6 – Persecution & Protest: The 20th Century

By the end of Year 8 students will be able to:

  • Explain multiple historical causes through an example.
  • Evaluate historical causes to make a judgement on the main cause and explain. 
  • Explain historical change through an example.
  • Explain historical continuity through an example.
  • Analyse historical sources and explain their limitations and strengths. 
  • Analyse historical interpretations and understand the strengths and limitations of an opinion

Curriculum Overview

  • Modules 1 & 2 – Power & Religion: The Tudors
  • Modules 3 & 4 – Power & Conquest: Empire & Slavery
  • Modules 5 & 6 – Power & Protest: The Early Modern Period

By the end of Year 7 students will be able to: 

  • Explain historical significance through an example.   
  • Explain historical causation through an example.
  • Explain historical consequence through an example. 
  • Examine historical sources and understand what they tell us. 
  • Examine historical sources and understand what they infer. 
  • Examine historical interpretations and understand their opinion

Curriculum Overview

  • Modules 1 & 2 – Rebirth & Religion: The Crusades
  • Modules 3 & 4 – Rebirth & Conquest: The Norman Conquest
  • Modules 5 & 6 – Rebirth & Protest: The Medieval Period