THE HISTORY CURRICULUM AT UCC

At Uppingham Community College the History curriculum ensures that students learn lessons about the past to help them shape their future. The curriculum across Key Stage 3 and 4 provides students with the opportunity to study British, European and World History and learn how events have shaped the world that we live in today. We inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past by encouraging them to ask perceptive questions, think critically, consider evidence, phrase arguments and develop judgements. They learn the contextual knowledge of the key periods in order to develop an awareness and understanding of the significant changes that have taken place over time, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups and their own identity. Students will engage in historical enquiries to develop as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers. They will develop the ability to ask relevant questions about the past and to investigate issues critically.

Below are two examples of this in practice:

Knowledge: When studying the First World War unit in Year Nine the curriculum will cover contextual knowledge about the short and long term causes of the war, what life was like for soldiers in the trenches and why this was known as the first technological war.

Understanding: Students will understand the key historical concepts of cause and consequence, the significance of the short and long term impact of the events that the war had on British, European and World society and international relations.

Skill: Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through the ability to formulate a structured response to an essay style question using skills such as description, explanation, analysis and evaluation and reach substantiated conclusions. They will also be able to analyse and evaluate relevant primary sources by analysing the message and purpose of these historical sources.

Knowledge: When studying the Power: Monarchy to Democracy course in Year 11, the curriculum will cover key themes and developments over 1,000 year of how Britain changed from being ruled as an autocratic monarchy to the establishment of democracy.

Understanding: Students will understand the key developmental changes in this process, including the causes and consequences of change, the nature of change, the rate and extent of change. Students will also be able to demonstrate an understanding of continuity and the significance of the developments studied, in particular the long term impact they have had on society. They will understand how to make comparisons between the sections of each era and also across eras.

Skills: Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through the ability to formulate a structured response to an essay style question using skills such as description, explanation, analysis and evaluation and reach substantiated conclusions. They will be able to explain the significance of the developments they have studied.