In history this module, we have learnt in depth about the Holocaust and how the Nazis were able to manipulate the German population into having the power and resources to start the Holocaust. We have also looked into the disturbing encounters that the Jewish population faced until they were sent to camps such as Auschwitz, where they would be put through the process of selection and then extermination. We later looked at another genocide, the Rwandan genocide, and explored the similarities and differences of the Rwandan genocide to the Holocaust.

Please see below for our students' account of their historical studies this module:

"Recently, we have learnt about the chaos and horrid scenes of the Rwandan Genocide. The Rwandan Genocide was a war in Rwanda where two main groups (the Tutsis and the Hutus) were in conflict with each other. The Tutsis made up the smallest part of the population but were seen as the strongest according to their alliances, Belgium and Germany. Since these countries allied themselves with the Tutsis, the Hutus were angry and became violent with them.

We learn about these topics to remember the past and parts of history which either affected future generations or stained an important memory in society."

By Joe V and Stanley S 9B

"Since starting Year 10 I have enjoyed History and have loved learning about Medicine Through Time. I have particularly enjoyed this topic because I think that learning about how ideas and beliefs develop and adapt as new discoveries are made is incredibly interesting. My favourite part of this topic has been learning about Pasteur’s Germ Theory and how the ideas about the cause of disease changed and how it has formed the way we look at disease today. Additionally, this topic has lots of links to science, specifically biology which I also have an interest in. Our lessons focus on linking ideas between time periods, seeing how ideas have adapted over time and regularly looking at GCSE style questions so we are familiar with how to answer them in the manner of a historian."

Khushi 10E

Following a curriculum review last year, we are now offering more lessons in Religious Studies at Key Stage 3. This means that we have been able introduce modules on Judaism, the life of Muhammad, as well as Sikhism and Buddhism. This is part of our intention that all students should be exposed to the core tenets of the major global religions by the time that they finish Year 9 such that they are able to draw comparisons between the different religions.

In Module 1, our Muslim students were able to participate in Ramadan in our prayer room, and we have been fortunate enough to buy several prayer mats, and a collection of religious artefacts for students to examine in handling sessions.

As part of the study of Judaism in Module 2, students have studied the Torah, Abraham and Isaac, as well as several religious festivals. For the celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, Jewish children traditionally play with dreidels, and for our lucky students in Year 8, we have been able to give them one to enjoy playing with!