History

Aims of the History Department

In S1 Social Subjects we have an integrated course based around Rights. Firstly the pupils look at Exploring Scotland. This allows pupils to be able to identify what a map is and the features a good map needs to have. We also study four figure grid references and we can locate different symbols on a map. This allows pupils to understand the importance of map reading. Pupils will look at Human Rights and Responsibilities and compare and contrast life in Scotland to life of children in India. This is followed by looking at life in the Victorian era, the impact that had on families. Lastly pupils look at child soldiers and how child rights have been not been met in the 21st Century. By the end of S1 pupils will have learnt different skills such as analyzing and evaluating to understand which groups around the world have not got a good quality of life.

In S2 pupils will study the Atomic bomb and the Holocaust. Pupils will firstly look at the election of JFK through to his assassination in 1963. In the Second rotation pupils will study the impact of the Atomic bomb and evaluate the impact it has had on the world. Then pupils will look at the events of World War 2: The Holocaust, where pupils understand the events and assess the impact it has in the world.

In History we study the Great War, we study the impact of the war and compare modern day life to life during the war. We also look at the policy changes in Britain during that time.

In S3 History we continue to enhance pupils evaluating and analysing skills in preparation for the senior phase.

Scottish Studies

We offer a variety of different pathways to pupils such as the Scottish Studies award at National 4 and 5. The Scottish Studies Award provides opportunities for learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of Scotland — its people, languages (such as Scots and Gaelic), society, culture, natural environment and heritage — and to make connections across the curriculum. The four units which are covered are:

  • Scotland in Focus
  • Scots Language: History and Development
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Social Issues in Scotland

Staff Names

Mrs E. McQuillan (Curricular leader)

Mrs L. Dickenson (Acting Principal Teacher of Support)

Mr A. Parker

Qualification Course Layout

National 3

History provides learners with insights into their own lives and into the society and wider world in which they live. By examining the past, learners can better understand their own communities, their country and the wider world. Through an understanding of the concept of continuity, they can better appreciate change and its significance, both in their own times and in the past. The topics covered in History is the Atlantic Slave Trade 1770- 1807, The Era of the Great War, 1910-1928 and Nazi Germany, 1919-1939.

National 4

History provides learners with insights into their own lives and into the society and wider world in which they live. By examining the past, learners can better understand their own communities, their country and the wider world. Through an understanding of the concept of continuity, they can better appreciate change and its significance, both in their own times and in the past. The topics covered in History are the Atlantic Slave Trade 1770- 1807, The Era of the Great War, 1910-1928 and Civil Rights in the USA, 1918-1968.

National 5

The purpose of Geography is to develop the learner’s understanding of our changing world and its human and physical processes. Opportunities for practical activities, including fieldwork, will be encouraged, so that learners can interact with their environment. The contexts for study are local, national, international and global. Geography draws on the social and natural sciences: interdisciplinary learning is therefore fundamental to geographical study and encourages links with other disciplines. In the 21st century, with growing awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment and scarce resources, the study of Geography fosters positive life-long attitudes of environmental stewardship, sustainability and global citizenship.

Higher

History provides learners with insights into their own lives and into the society and wider world in which they live. By examining the past, learners can better understand their own communities, their country and the wider world. Through an understanding of the concept of continuity, they can better appreciate change and its significance, both in their own times and in the past. This purpose will be achieved through the study of the three Units of the Course which will cover Scottish, British, European and world contexts in a variety of time periods.

Options cover topics from the Medieval, Early Modern and Later Modern periods and include elements of political, social, economic and cultural history. The approach developed and the understanding gained can be applied to other historical settings and issues.