History

During Year 7 students will be studying the Medieval Period in History. This begins with the invasion of the Normans in 1066 and ends with the start of the Tudor dynasty in 1485. Students will be given the opportunity to explore: the Battle of Hastings of 1066, the development of castles, an understanding of the importance of religion, with a focus on crusades and monasteries and a study of the Black Death. Students will also look at some aspects of Welsh History, including interpretations of Owain Glyndwr, the History of Llywelyn the Great, and how Aberystwyth has changed over time.

During Year 8 you will be studying Tudor times, the Stuarts and the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. This time in History begins with Henry VIII and ends with Queen Victoria. You will be given the opportunity to explore: the reign of Henry VIII, how ordinary people lived during Tudor times, the Spanish Armada, the Civil War, the causes and the impact of the Industrial Revolution.

During Year 9 you will be studying some of the key events in Twentieth Century World History. This time in History we start with the causes of the First World War and end with the story of Martin Luther King and the American Civil Rights movement. You will explore: the First World War, life in Hitler’s Germany, the impact of the Second World War and the importance of Civil Rights. Your final project will be to pick a theme from history and to explore its development over the past 1000 years.

Note: Teachers will pick either Key Task 3 or Key Task 4.

Year 10 students are the first to begin the new WJEC History GCSE course. The full programme of study is outlined below.

We have started the course with Unit 2 and will be moving onto Unit 1 in February of Year 10. Students will have regular opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the historical context. Students will be provided with revision guides later in the course and should take every opportunity to attempt past paper practice. When working with past papers students should be encouraged to focus their answers directly on the question set and must provide relevant factual support in their answers if they want to achieve the higher marks. In addition to what the school provides there is much excellent support on the WJEC GCSE History site.

If you need any further support please contact Miss T.A Leighton at the School.

Year 11 students will be the first to complete the new WJEC History GCSE course. The full programme of study is outlined below.

WJEC GCSE History Changes 2021 resulting from the Covid 19 lockdown

Students will now sit two examinations in the summer of 2021: Unit 1 and Unit 2; students will also complete Unit 4 (Controlled Assessment) in the classroom. All three units will be equally weighted. I can therefore confirm that Unit 3 will not be examined in 2021.

We completed Unit 2 at the start of Y10 and will complete Unit 1 by the end of Year 10. We will then be starting the Unit 4 Controlled Assessment Tasks on Civil Rights in the 1950s- 1960s, with a special focus on the remarkable role played by Martin Luther King in the struggle. It is vital that all students complete both Controlled Assessment Tasks as they represent 20% of the final qualification. Students will start the final unit later in the Autumn term and will have regular opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the historical context. Students will be provided with revision guides later in the course and should take every opportunity to attempt past paper practice. When working with past papers students should be encouraged to focus their answers directly on the question set and must provide relevant factual support in their answers if they want to achieve the higher marks. In addition to what the school provides there is much excellent support on the WJEC GCSE History site.

If you need any further support please contact Miss T.A. Leighton at the School.