As a History department we focus on preparing students for their life long learning by equipping them both with historical knowledge, and transferable skills. We aim to ensure that the curriculum is matched to the individual needs of all our students with a focus on the enjoyment and interest of the subject.

 

At Key Stage 3 students are taught thematic studies focusing on key events and individuals in History; and also on change, turning points and continuity over time. Key events studied include the battle of Hastings, Civil rights movement in America, the World Wars. Key individuals such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Louis XVI are studied to assess their contributions and importance in History. There is a focus on developing key skills, such as evaluation, interpretation of evidence, putting forward a substantiated argument, prioritising events. Active learning, such as debates, role plays, group work all helps students to develop and consolidate their learning.

 

At Key Stage 4 the department currently offers two GCSE History options; modern world history and the schools history project: medicine through time. The foundations built at key stage 3 are built on further, and students are all encouraged to become independent learners.

 

This focus on independent learning and preparation for life after QEMS is continued at A level with a course that includes a substantial element of independent study. Students are encouraged to use the resources available to them to form their own opinions and conclusions. This exciting course, including a depth study of Cromwell and the French Revolution has always been a popular one at QEMS.

 

We also aim to enrich learning by offering wider activities and visits. We have had visits into school by ‘the Time Traveller’ talking about the English Civil War to year 8 students, have organised taster sessions at Birmingham University, and have run a visit to World War One battlefields which has always been very popular with students. This summer the History and MFL departments are combining a visit to France.