In the Senior School the History curriculum marries global breadth with domestic diversity, within a broadly chronological framework. In Years 7, 8 and 9, all students study History for a double lesson each week. Within these lessons there is an emphasis on deepening students’ knowledge of the past as well as developing their skills in research, writing and debate. A wide variety of visual resources are used to bring the past to life for students, and lessons involve plenty of discussion and group work.

Key Stage 3

Year 7: Medieval Britain and the Medieval World
The Year 7 course begins with the question ‘What is History?’ and explores the role of evidence and chronology in the work of the historian. In the Autumn Term students explore the impact of the Norman Conquest on Britain. In the Spring Term we consider the Middle Ages beyond Britain’s shores through a study of Mansa Musa, Genghis Khan, the Islamic world and some key medieval women. In the Summer Term we return to Britain to consider local history through a study of medieval castles and the Black Death.

Fieldwork: Conwy and Rhuddlan castles (Summer Term)

Year 8: The Early Modern World
The Year 8 course begins with a consideration of where the early modern period fits chronologically. It explores some of the key religious changes seen in Britain in these years, as well as considering the historical reputation of the Tudor monarchs. We explore early modern life through a study of Black Tudors before moving on to study the origins and impact of the British Empire. Here we focus on Indian Independence before returning to a study of the Industrial Revolution in Britain in the Summer Term.

Fieldwork: Helmshore Mills Textile Museum (Spring Term)

Year 9: The Making of the Modern World
In the Autumn Term of Year 9, students study life in Africa in the early modern period before considering the global impact of the transatlantic slave trade at the time and on the present day. In the Spring Term we consider the causes and key events of the First World War whilst in the Summer Term students explore local history through the suffragette movement and independent research into multicultural Manchester in the 20th Century.

Fieldwork: The International Slavery Museum (Autumn Term)

“I really enjoy history because it is important to learn about the past and how we can improve from it. Our lessons are so much fun, especially when we get the chance to look at sources and infer meanings from them. Our teachers are engaging, supportive and help to make history lessons a highlight of the week.”

A Year 9 pupil