A Level Students at the City Archives

History

History is a fascinating subject which stays with us long after we leave school.  A glance at the number of history books on public library shelves and the number of history programmes on television confirms this.  We all want to know where we came from and the world we live in is only partly comprehensible without an understanding of its historical roots.  Ancient, medieval, modern, local, national and world History all come within the experience of girls who pursue our subject at Central High.  They are exposed to a variety of methods of teaching styles within this vigorous department, although the emphasis is always on critical understanding and the ability to express well supported historical arguments.

Years 7-9
Year 7 are introduced to the nature of historical evidence and then study medieval themes from 1066 to 1500 including the Norman Conquest, the Black Death and the lives of ordinary people in medieval towns in the countryside.  Pupils are given a free reign to use their imagination and explore a variety of lively approaches to their work.  In the summer, Year 7 visit Aydon Castle and use their observations as the basis for project work.

Year 8 pupils follow an early modern course concentrating mainly on the Tudors and Stuarts and briefly examine the transformation of society in the Industrial Revolution.  Again, we have a lively and energetic approach to these popular topics although girls are expected to work with increasing independence and to express their thoughts in greater depth.

In Year 9 we look at key aspects of the 20th century including the world wars and the rise and collapse of fascism and communism.  We begin a more sophisticated exploration of evidence and work on essay writing in preparation for GCSE skills.  Discussion in class is at the heart of Year 9 work because many of the topics we cover have obvious contemporary resonance.  Many of our Year 9 topics are supported by pupils' independent research on the internet.

Years 10-11
At GCSE we follow the OCR Schools History Project Syllabus.  This syllabus was designed to offer pupils an experience of a variety of different approaches to the subject with a mixture of a long term development through time (the History of Medicine), a study in depth (Britain 1815-51) and  an aspect of local History (country houses through the ages with particular reference to Belsay Hall).  At GCSE, girls work hard to succeed in their examinations at the end of Year 11 but in addition some of the final pressure is taken away from them by the production of a piece of coursework at the end of Year 10 and the start of Year 11. 

The Sixth Form
Girs in the Sixth Form are expected to work independently and develop research, essay writing and presentational skills that will be invaluable to them at university or in the world of work.  Class discussion is one of the most important of learning methods and smaller group sizes enable everyone to make regular and full contributions.

In Year 12 girls study Stalin's Russia, Civil Rights in the USA  1945 - 1968 and the Changing Position of Women in Britain c1860-1930.  All three topics are examined at the end of the Year.

In Year 13 we examine a key period in English History: 1629-67, including the causes of the Civil War, the trial and execution of the King, Cromwell, the Interregnum and the  

Restoration of Charles II. This is examined at the end of the year. Year 13 students also study Britain and India 1845-1947 and this is assessed by two coursework assignments.

History is a very popular option in the Sixth Form and we regularly have students applying to read History at university. Extra lessons are offered to girls wishing to continue History at university including help with application to Cambridge or Oxford.