History at RPA
"A people without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots"
Marcus Garvey
History at Richmond Park Academy
In Humanities at RPA we want to create curious and engaged citizens who are informed about the truths of the past, comprehend the key issues in the world around them and are understanding and respectful of other faiths and cultures. Students who study Humanities should leave RPA able to apply their knowledge to real world situations to effectively and confidently articulate their viewpoints and be confident debating their personal beliefs on the big issues they face.
Who's who in the team
Dr. A. Mathisen - Subject Leader
Mr. D. Doy
Miss. F. Williams
Mr. J. Cook
In History, our aim is to use our passion and dedication for teaching History to create the highest quality learning experience for our students. Central to this is our belief in fostering independent enquiry and high level discussion to help mould young people who are engaged, aware, critical, and confidently articulate about the world, its past, and its challenges for the future.
What we do when
KS3 History units are organised thematically around three strands: Power and Conflict; Settlement, Expansion and Beliefs; Society, Freedom, & Identity.
Year 7 (1000-1600)
How did movement of people impact beliefs & societies?
Who was the most effective medieval leader and did medieval people have a voice?
How did discovery of new worlds change European & indigenous lives and how did new ideas about religion and science change early modern Europe?
Year 8 (1600-1900)
From absolutism to revolution - How did modern democracy emerge?
To what extent did the age of empire lead to freedom or oppression?
How did 'powerless' people exert agency
Year 9 (1900-the present)
How did warfare evolve into total war in the 20th century?
Why did the world move from cold war to war on terror?
How have freedoms been expanded and compromised in the 20th c?
Key Stage 4
KS4 students follow the Edexcel History GCSE
Thematic Study and Historical Environment: Medicine in Britain, c.1250-present and the British Sector of the Western Front, 1914-1918: Injuries, Treatment & the Trenches
British Depth Study: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88
Period Study: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91
Modern Depth Study: Weimar & Nazi Germany, 1918-1939
Key Stage 5
KS5 students follow the Edexcel A-Level qualification
Britain, 1625-1701: Conflict, Revolution and Settlement (Paper 1C: 30%)
Russia in Revolution, 1894-1924 (Paper 2C/2: 20%)
Protest, Agitation, and Parliamentary Reform in Britain, c.1780-1928 (30%)
Coursework: The End of the Cold War (20%)
Who to contact
Head of Subject: Dr A Mathisen - amathisen@richmondparkacademy.org
Humanities Achievement Director - Ms L Bicknell - lbicknell@richmondparkacademy.org
Future Careers
Academic historian
Lawyer
Journalist
Teacher
Researcher
Consultant
Politician
Archivist
Publisher
Entrepreneur
Civil servant
Editor
Librarian