Head of Humanities: Miss S Parish

Head of History: Miss R Wickenden 

Our approach to the History curriculum

The History department at St Mary’s College aims to enthuse and inspire students to understand the importance of historical events and how the learning taken from them is essential in everyday life. The History department comprises of a dedicated and highly skilled team who are able to help develop crucial skills for students such as analysis and interpretation which no doubt help prepare them not just for the requirements in the study of History, but in their wider academic career. At St Mary’s we also aim to equip students with the necessary skills to understand the past, ensuring that their contributions to society do not reflect previous mistakes that have been made.

Key Stage 3: In Years 7 and 8, students explore key developments which shape the world we live in today. From Roman Europe to Cold War fault lines. This course helps prepare students for a challenging GCSE specification for both knowledge of the content and assessment objectives.

Key Stage 4:

All students follow the GCSE EDEXCEL GCSE course, with most students starting their study in Year 9 and sitting their terminal assessments at the end of Year 10. There are a small number of students who begin their study of History in Year 10, with final exanimations coming at the end of Year 11. All students have the opportunity to study Medicine Through Time, the American West, Elizabethan England and also a German Depth Study.

Key Stage 5: (16-19 qualifications) Students study EDEXCEL History A Level which covers Fascist Italy; an interesting comparison to the well-known Nazi Germany. The British Experience of Warfare is an opportunity to address the misconceptions of the British Empire in the Victorian period. Denazification, an under-explored problem, along with Slavery, are among the topics of study in Year 13.

How you can find out more about the History Curriculum

Syllabus materials KS4 / KS5: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/subjects/history.html

Faculty Leader contact: rwickenden@smchull.org

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