History Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Aim & Intent
Aim
The History Department at Southmoor aims to inspire a keen interest in the past of both Britain and the wider world. We want to develop our students’ understanding of individuals and events of the past, and to help cultivate a thirst for knowledge which goes beyond the classroom.
Achieving this will help to give our students a sense of identity and an understanding of the present by learning about the origins of their families, their community, their country, institutions, values and attitudes, as well as training their mind via the rigour and demands of History as an academic discipline. Ultimately, we want to assist students in the growth of personal qualities such as reliability, honesty, tolerance, and self-discipline, and to help them to mature in their knowledge, understanding, thought process and moral character.
An environment in which students will be able to question and discuss events, ideas and individuals who may be considered controversial openly and respectfully.
For pupils this means:
- A curriculum offering opportunities to experience the history of a range of periods, places and people
- A strong foundation of transferrable skills
- Lessons which are engaging and thought-provoking
- Lessons which allow all students to access history through a range of activities and resources
- Opportunities for students to recognise the relevance of their lessons to the world we live in today
Intent
The History Department at Southmoor intends to give students the opportunity and ability to consider events as part of a bigger picture by looking at history over time and developing an understanding of the wider historical context of the past. Studying themes which have changed over time allows for a deeper understanding of the world around us today and our purpose is to allow students opportunities to discuss, argue and debate their views in a safe, objective, and supportive environment, and to encourage genuine discourse about the past and its relevance today.
The British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect of those with different faiths and beliefs are taught explicitly within the History curriculum and reinforced in the way in which the school operates.
Brief Overview of Curriculum Content for Each Term
Autumn term Spring Term Summer Term Yr 7 - Thematic Study
- Migration
- Empire
- Tudors
- Stuarts
- Stuarts
- Castles
Yr 8 - Thematic Study
- Power
- Control
- Monarchy
- Industrial Revolution
- Slavery
- Civil Rights Movement USA
Yr 9 - American Revolution
- French Revolution
- Russian Revolution
- WW1
- WW2
- Holocaust
- Cold War
- Cold War
- USA 1920-1929
Yr 10 - USA 1920-1973
- Conflict 1918-1939
- Conflict 1918-1939
- Health c.1000
- Health c.1000
Yr 11 - Health c.1000
- Elizabeth I
- Elizabeth I
- Historic Environment
- Revision
- Revision
How Our Curriculum Caters For SEND Students
How does our Curriculum cater for students with SEND?
Southmoor Academy is an inclusive academy where every child is valued and respected. We are committed to the inclusion, progress and independence of all our students, including those with SEN. We work to support our students to make progress in their learning, their emotional and social development and their independence. We actively work to support the learning and needs of all members of our community.
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made that is additional to or different from that made generally for other children or young people of the same age. (CoP 2015, p16)
Teachers are responsible for the progress of ALL students in their class and high-quality teaching is carefully planned; this is the first step in supporting students who may have SEND. All students are challenged to do their very best and all students at the Academy are expected to make at least good progress.
Specific approaches which are used within the curriculum areas include:
- Seating to allow inclusion
- Differentiation activities to stretch and support in all lessons
- Resources are accessible
- Displays and visual learning tools are used where necessary
- Where appropriate support from additional adults is planned to scaffold students learning
- Group work and discussion
- Clear teacher/student communication
- Feedback that allows students to make progress, whether written or verbal
- Independent study/homework.
- Intervention when required
How Our Curriculum Caters For Disadvantaged Students
How does our curriculum cater for disadvantaged students and those from minority groups?
As a school serving an area with high levels of deprivation, we work tirelessly to raise the attainment for all students and to close any gaps that exist due to social contexts. The deliberate allocation of funding and resources has ensured that attainment gaps are closing in our drive to ensure that all pupils are equally successful when they leave the Academy. More specifically within the teaching of History, we;
- work to identify barriers, interests and what might help each pupil make the next steps in learning.
- provide targeted support for under-performing pupils during lesson time, in addition to revision lessons and intervention outside school hours.
- use strategies best suited to addressing individual needs
- Ensure there are opportunities for students to make use of resources and gain homework support outside of lesson time
- Provide students with revision materials to reduce financial burden on families.
Knowledge Organisers
