Curriculum Intent

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.” Deuteronomy 32:7

In History, we aim to develop a love and enthusiasm of the study of History, an enquiring mind and to develop a curiosity for the past whilst creating young historians. We cover Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural issues as well as the diversity of societies and relationships which will give students a sense of understanding the world they live in.

As a department, our intent is to ensure that our curriculum provides students with the effective opportunities to:

• Enjoy a deep and rich knowledge-based curriculum which enables students to empathise with the past, both locally, nationally and within the wider world.
• Formulate an excellent understanding of chronology, a rich depth of knowledge of topics and an extensive skill set which are bespoke to history and transferable across the wider curriculum. This will enable students to be successful at GCSE and beyond, allowing them access to this treasure through a razor-sharp focus on reading, speaking and writing.
• Preparation time for assessments has been incorporated into the programme of study to ensure that learners are able to prepare themselves to maximise their potential.
• We will immerse our classes in the best that has been thought and said in human history about their region, their country and their world; for “those who do not know their history will be doomed to repeat it”.
• The History curriculum will enable our students to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
• Students will understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. Students understand how and why St Helens has changed and developed over time, using their local area as a vessel to explore key historical developments.
• We endeavour to show History as the living, breathing disciplinary study of our past, making the most of the powerful cultural knowledge our subject provides to create a unique, unforgettable journey.

Resources

Curriculum Rationale – History
Curriculum Overview – History

Curriculum End Points – History