History

In History we have a vision for a Remarkable curriculum in History where you will develop a passion, interest and understanding of history and how it shapes the world around us. History will encourage you to use your knowledge of the past to think critically about events, people and places and appreciate history from a more global perspective at TTC.

Developing Moral Capital

Our Moral capital in History allows students to have the opportunity to understand how History can influence the morals that are required for life in Modern Britain. In History we explore moral dilemmas and moral challenges that society has faced and how it has overcome them for a better future.

When participating in curricular and extracurricular activities, students frequently critique their own and each other's work and this is done with sensitivity and respect, understanding the impact of our words on others. When using vocabulary that may be classed as sensitive or as no longer socially appropriate we discuss this as a group and look at the moral implications that this may have in modern Britain and why it is now no longer deemed acceptable. We use our moral compass to make us better History learners and citizens of the world.

Developing Social Capital

In History we aim to ensure all students are able to develop their self-awareness and understanding of their place in the world. Students in History will understand and be encouraged to develop their relationships with each other and with their teachers to talk openly and honestly about their experiences in History. Paired and group work to build discussion around challenging and engaging topics and share their views feature regularly in our lessons to build students’ confidence and resilience. Students are encouraged to engage in a range of trips and extra-curricular activities to help develop their social skills.

Developing Cultural Capital

History is a subject with culture at its very core. This means students exploring the history of different European and worldwide cultures; some examples of this are the history of Germany and castles within the United Kingdom. History helps students to understand the shape of the world and how it influences and reflects society through time. Clubs, home learning, national and international residential trips and day visits help students to immerse themselves in other cultures but also to understand their place in the world and in sustaining an appreciation of history throughout their lives.

Developing Knowledge Capital

Our History curriculum is designed with rich opportunities for all students to be able to succeed in History and this success takes many forms. They learn skills and concepts such as debating, questioning the reliability and bias of sources and the summarisation of propaganda materials and what impact they had on society at that time. Students at TTC are able to explore and develop areas of interest to them - for some students, it is World War 2 and its consequences; for others it is exploring medieval History. History is a knowledge based subject and therefore the acquisition and application of knowledge such as key dates and figures is at the very heart of our curriculum. Students also develop their essay writing skills by having to debate points of view and are encouraged to express their own opinions that are backed up by historical knowledge.

Developing Community Capital

Extracurricular clubs across the History department afford students the opportunity to develop their intellectual curiosity and work alongside their peers and the rest of the school community. By doing so students learn to accept and respect cultural differences. Students develop the ability to tell between right and wrong through discussion and debate in class, particularly when exploring different emotive topics. We encourage purposeful participation in activities and events throughout the year to ensure our students are active and cognisant of their place in the community and feel able to use their voice for the good of themselves and others.

Curriculum Roadmaps KS3 - Year 7

Curriculum Roadmaps KS3 - Year 8

Curriculum Roadmaps KS3 - Year 9

Curriculum Roadmaps KS4 - Year 10 & 11

Key Stage 3

History at Key Stage 3 at Thorpe Campus aims to give students an innovative and exciting insight into British, European and World History. Our programme of study begins in Year 7 what the key question of ‘Who are the English?’ This leads students into an exploration of what England was like in 1000 before the Norman Conquest. Students also explore key aspects of Medieval History before finishing their studies by investigating the Tudors. In Year 8, students explore topics such as the English Civil War, the Industrial Revolution and the British Empire and its global impact. In Year 9, students focus entirely on the 20 th Century, studying both World Wars, aspects of the Cold War and global terrorism in the last 50 years. As well as hoping to enthuse and excite students, the course is also designed to complement the GCSE history syllabus, which students will study at Key Stage 4. To broaden student experiences at Key Stage 3 the department also organises educational visits to the First World War Battlefields in Belgium, the Imperial War Museum and Dover Castle.

Key Stage 4

There are 2 different History GCSE courses available, these course have been carefully selected to enable students of all academic abilities to find success. Students should look carefully at the course information and together with discussions with their teachers we will help to place them in the right course.

Modern World History Syllabus A (2016 specification)

Paper 1 – Period study & non-British depth study

Period Study – In this unit, students will study the 20th Century. There are 3 topics:

  1. The period of History from the end of the First World War up to the outbreak of the Second World War

  2. The period of History that is known as the Cold War, including events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War

  3. The period of History after the end of the Cold War from 1991 with focus on terrorism, including 9/11 and Al-Qaeda

Non-British Depth Study – Germany 1925-55. In this unit we look at the changes in German society, especially the rise of the Nazis, their effects on German society and the impact of World War Two


Paper 2 – Thematic Study

War and British Society c.790 to c.2010 – This thematic study focuses on the relationship between war and society over a long period of history. There are 3 topics:

  1. 790-c.1500 – Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon England; Norman Conquest

  2. C.1500-c.1750 – Elizabeth’s wars with Spain; English Civil War

  3. c.1750-c.2010 – Crimean & Boer Wars, 1st & 2nd World Wars


Paper 3 – British Depth Study & Historic Environment Study

Personal Rule to Restoration 1629-1660 with Castles: Form and Function c.1000- 1700 – This depth study focuses on the political and religious developments in

Britain from 1629-1660. The Castles section is designed to enable students to develop their ability to use evidence effectively, assessing how a specific castle’s role has changed over time

History Syllabus B Schools History Project (SHP) (2016 specification)

Paper 1 – Thematic Study & British Depth Study

Thematic Study – This thematic study focuses on change and continuity in public health in Britain from c.1250 to the present. There key topics include:

  1. Medicine and Public Health in Medieval England, including the Black Death

  2. Medicine and Public Health in Early Modern England, including the changing living conditions

  3. How Industrialised Britain dealt with problems associated with urbanisation

  4. Britain since 1900 and how it has dealt with modern problems such as AIDS and Spanish Influenza

British Depth Study – The Norman Conquest, 1065-87. In this unit we look at:

England on the eve of the Norman Invasion

  1. The Norman Invasion, including the Battle of Stamford Bridge and Hastings

  2. Resistance be the people of England to the Norman Invasion

  3. Conquest of England, including the Doomsday Book and the role of Norman castles


Paper 2 – History Around Us Study

In this unit, students will study a historical site, such as a local castle (e.g. Colchester Castle) to understand how the physical features of a selected site and other supporting sources inform us about historical events and developments. This study will be focused on a local site and could provide the opportunity for fieldwork


Paper 3 – Period Study & World Depth Study

Period Study – The Making of America, 1789-1900. In this topic, students will study the making of America, from its 1st president in 1789 to the start of the 20th Century where it was set to become the most powerful country in the world. This will include the expansion and ending of slavery, wars with Native American Indians, the American Civil War and the Wild West

World Depth Study – Living under Nazi Rule, 1933-45. In this unit we look at the changes in Germany under Nazi rule especially their effects on German society and the impact of World War Two

Key Stage 5

History is rigorous, challenging and designed to give you a broad programme of study. It is split into two key topics: the Cold War 1945—91 and the Tudors 1485—1603. You will also complete a coursework unit on the changing nature of British warfare in the 20th Century. The History department encourages students to take a mature approach to their studies and expects each individual to be responsible for their own learning, working with their teachers in order to be as successful as possible.

Assessment is through terminal examinations after two years’ study. There are two equally weighted exam units, each 2 hours 30 minutes long. There is also a coursework unit worth 20% of the overall A Level.