History is a very exciting subject that is about people, events and nations in times past. It involves looking at why wars begin and end, the actions of individuals and groups in certain circumstances and what brings people into conflict with one another. We focus on how History has shaped our present and led us to where we are today as a society. History is a very popular subject throughout the College. It is compulsory at KS3 and many students choose it at KS4 and KS5 where it is optional.
Subject:
History
Levels Taught:
KS3
GCSE/KS4
Post 16
Staff:
Mr C McLaren – (HoD)
Mr C McLaughlin
Mrs E Gregg
KS3:
(Subject/Topic Content)
At Key Stage 3 we follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
Year 8
History in Year 8 equips students with the key skills and an understanding of the key concepts to be a successful historian.
In year 8 we study:
- What is History?
- Why was 1066 such an important year in History?
- What was the significance of the Norman Conquest?
- What was it like to live in medieval society?
- How did castles develop over time?
- What impact did the Normans have on Ireland?
- How did medicine develop through time?
Year 8 pupils will have the opportunity to visit Carrickfergus Castle as part of their studies.
Year 9
In Year 9 History we further develop the skills of year 8 and we focus on conflict and rights including a focus on World War One, the campaign for equal rights for women and also the campaign for black civil rights.
In Year 9 we study:
- What were the main causes of World War One?
- How did Britain become involved in World War One?
- What was trench warfare?
- Why did men join World War One?
- What were conditions like for soldiers during World War One?
- How was propaganda used during World War One?
- What was the Battle of the Somme and what impact did it have?
- How did technology develop throughout World War One?
- How and why did World War One come to an end in 1918?
- What was the role of women in the early 20th century?
- Who were the suffragists?
- Who were the suffragettes?
- What actions did the suffragettes take?
- Did suffragettes actions help or hinder their cause?
- The life of Emily Davison.
- How far have women gained equality?
- How were black people treated in the USA during the times of slavery?
- Why was slavery abolished?
- What were the Jim Crows laws?
- What happened at Little Rock in the 1950s?
- What happened to Emmett Till?
- Who was Rosa Parks and what impact did she make to Civil Rights for black Americans?
- How did the Black Civil Rights Movement emerge in America?
- What tactics did the Black Civil Rights Movement use in the USA?
- Who was Martin Luther and what impact did he make t America?
- Who were the KKK?
- Did black Americans achieve equal rights?
- Why did Black Lives Matter emerge in the 21st century?
- What impact have Black Lives Matter made to equality?
Year 9 pupils will have the opportunity to visit the Somme Museum and also take part in a World War One Outreach programme led by the Navan Centre.
Year 10
In Year 10 History we examine modern 20th century events. We focus on the key events and individuals that have shaped the society that we live in today. Year 10 History will provide a good grounding for the transition into GCSE History.
In Year 10 we study:
- Why was the twentieth century so significant?
- What were the key events and changes during the 20th century?
- How was Germany impacted by World War One?
- What was Germany like during the 1920s under the Weimar Republic?
- How and why did Adolf Hitler and the Nazis rise to power?
- How and why did the Nazis persecute the Jewish community and other minorities?
- What happened during the Holocaust?
- What was life like in concentration and death camps?
- Why is it so important to study and remember the Holocaust?
- What were the causes and consequences of the partition of Ireland?
- Why did the Northern Ireland troubles break out in the 1960s?
- How was Northern Ireland affected by ‘The Troubles’?
- What was it like to be a young person during ‘The Troubles’?
- How have the media portrayed the Northern Ireland conflict?
Year 10 pupils will have the opportunity to visit Belfast and complete a teacher led mural and historical tour of Belfast.
KS3:
(Additional Links)
GCSE/KS4:
(Subject/Topic Content)
At Key Stage 4 the Department follows the CCEA specification.
Year 11
Year 11 modules are worth 60% of the overall GCSE. History at GCSE Level is 100% examination based.
Modern World Studies in Depth:
Life in Nazi Germany: 1933 – 1945
- Hitler takes political control, 1933 – 1934
- Control and opposition in Nazi Germany
- Life for workers in Nazi Germany
- Life for women and the family in Nazi Germany
- Life for young people in Nazi Germany
- Life for the Jewish community and minorities in Nazi Germany
- Germany at War, 1939 – 1945
Local Study:
Changing Relations: Northern Ireland and its Neighbours, 1965 – 1998
- The O’Neill years
- The campaign for Civil Rights
- A deteriorating situation, 1969 – 1972
- The search for a political solutions – attempt at power sharing, 1973 – 1974
- Changing Republican strategy
- Changing relations, towards closer co-operation
- The Down Street Declaration, 1993
- The Good Friday Agreement, 1998
GCSE Year 11 Students will visit Belfast and Londonderry as part of their studies. There will also be the opportunity to meet representatives from a variety of the Northern Ireland political parties.
Year 12
The Year 12 module is worth 40% of the overall GCSE.
Outline Study:
International Relations, 1945 – 2003
Co-operation ends and the Cold War begins
- Emerging Superpower rivalry and its consequences, 1945 1949
- Flashpoints in Europe and the impact on international relations
- Flashpoints outside Europe and the impact on international relations
- The end of the Cold War, 1985 – 1991
- New tensions emerge, 1991 – 2003
Post 16:
(Subject/Topic Content)
Students will study two modules in Year 13 and two further modules in Year 14. A-Level History is 100% examination based.
At Key Stage 5 the Department follows the CCEA specification.
Year 13
AS 1 & 2 are worth 100% of the AS qualification and 40% of the overall A-Level qualification.
Historical Investigations & Interpretations:
Germany: 1919 – 1945
- The Weimar Republic, 1919 – 1929
- The decline of the Weimar Republic, 1929 – 1933 and the rise of the Nazis
- Developments in Nazi Germany, 1933 – 1939
- The impact of the War on Nazi Germany, 1939 – 1945
- The impact of the War on occupied territories in Eastern Europe, 1939 – 1945
Historical Conflict & Change:
Ireland: 1823 – 1867
- Daniel O’Connell and Catholic Emancipation, 1823 – 1834
- The Lichfield House Compact and reform for Ireland, 1835 – 1840
- The Repeal campaign and its failure, 1840 – 1847
- The causes, course and impact of the Irish Famine, 1824 – 1867
- The Fenian Rising of 1867
Year 14
A2 1 & 2 are worth 60% of the overall A-Level qualification
Change Over time:
Clash of Ideologies: 1900 – 2000
- Russia and Europe, 1900 – 1917
- Revolutionary Russia and opposition from Western governments, 1917 – 1933
- The struggle for survival, 1933 – 1945
- Co-operation and co-existence, 1956 – 1979
- Soviet aggression, decline and collapse, 1979 – 1991
Historical Investigations & Interpretations:
Partition of Ireland: 1900 – 1925
- The crisis over the 3rd Home Rule Bill up until September 1914
- The impact of WW1 on Ireland, 1914 – 1918
- The Easter Rising and the changing political climate, 1916 – 1918
- Political developments, 1919 – 1923
- Northern Ireland, 1921 – 1925
Both As and A2 Students will visit Dublin as part of their studies.
Many of our students have gone on to study History at undergraduate and post-graduate level. We are very proud of their achievements.
Post 16:
(ADDITIONAL LINKS)
http://www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/microsites/history/
http://www.spartacus-educational.com/
www.johndclare.net/
http://historyhub.ie/
https://www.youtube.com/ (Videos Relevant To Topics Taught)
Extra Curricular:
- At A-Level we attend a variety of History Conferences.
- We run History Revision Clinics in the run up to GCSE and A Level examinations to focus on examination technique and past paper practice.
- As well as support within school, we also offer online support through our Twitter profile, aimed at GCSE and A Level students.
- We participate in whole school College events and lead the Remembrance Service each November.
- To enhance the enjoyment and interest in History outside of the classroom we run an annual European visit. In the past we have visited the Battlefields of the Somme in France, the WW1 Battlefields of Belgium, Berlin, Anne Frank’s Amsterdam, Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland.