History

Overview

History is the study of the past and at Birchwood we are passionate about giving our learners the best possible understanding of the events, people and developments that have shaped our world. In History we also look to develop essential skills such as effective research, explaining your opinion and making connections between different events.

Learning at Key Stage 3

At Birchwood you will learn about a fascinating range of topics during key stage three. Our curriculum covers over a thousand years of British and World History incorporating hugely significant developments such as Slavery, the First World War and the Holocaust. We also investigate aspects of local history including Cholera in Warrington during the 19th century, Warrington during the English Civil War and the role of the Birchwood area in WWII.

Key Stage 3 History Course Overviews 2019-20

Year 7

Year 8

GCSE History

At GCSE we follow the Edexcel specification. This allows learners to study a highly engaging set of Historical topics ranging from medieval times to the present day. History is a popular option at GCSE and we take great pride in helping our learners to not only develop their knowledge but also deepen their interest in the past. GCSE History also helps to build a strong set of transferrable skills that can support success in other subjects.

The topics studied are:

Year 9 Year 10 Year 11

Crime & Punishment

Whitechapel

The Cold War, 1941-91

Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588

Crime and Punishment, 1000- present day

Whitechapel depth Study 1870 - 1900, including the Jack the Ripper murders.

Germany, 1918-39

The course is assessed entirely through examinations at the end of Year 11. There are three exam papers: