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Ernest Bevin Academy

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School Life

Discover academic excellence, personal development, and a vibrant community at Ernest Bevin Academy.

School Life

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History

The History curriculum at Ernest Bevin Academy aims to inspire students' curiosity about the past and equip them with the knowledge, skills and understanding to make sense of the present world. Our carefully sequenced curriculum provides students with a broad and balanced view of British, European and world history, enabling them to understand the complexity of people's lives, the process of change, and the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups.

Through our history teaching, students develop critical thinking skills, learn to analyze evidence, evaluate different interpretations of the past, and construct reasoned arguments. Students are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgment.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Year 7

Autumn Term

  • Introduction to historical skills
  • Medieval England 1066-1485
  • The Norman Conquest
  • Life in Medieval England

Spring Term

  • Medieval religion and power
  • The Black Death and its impact
  • The Peasants' Revolt
  • The Wars of the Roses

Summer Term

  • The Tudor period 1485-1603
  • Henry VIII and the Reformation
  • Elizabeth I's England
  • Local history study: London through time

Year 8

Autumn Term

  • Stuart England and the Civil War
  • The English Revolution
  • Restoration and Glorious Revolution
  • Empire and slavery

Spring Term

  • The Industrial Revolution
  • Social and economic change
  • Working conditions and reform
  • The fight for democracy

Summer Term

  • The British Empire
  • India and the Raj
  • Case study: The partition of India
  • The legacy of Empire

Year 9

Autumn Term

  • The causes of World War I
  • The Western Front and trench warfare
  • Home front and social change
  • The end of the war and its aftermath

Spring Term

  • The rise of dictatorships
  • Nazi Germany and the Holocaust
  • World War II: key events
  • The impact of WWII on Britain

Summer Term

  • Post-war Britain and social change
  • The Cold War
  • Civil rights movements
  • GCSE skills preparation

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

At Key Stage 4, students follow the Edexcel GCSE History specification. This diverse and engaging course enables students to develop their understanding of key historical events, periods and societies while refining their historical skills.

GCSE History Course Content

The GCSE History course comprises four key components:

Paper 1: Thematic Study and Historic Environment (30%)

  • Medicine in Britain, c1250–present - Traces developments in medicine and public health from medieval times to the present day
  • The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18 - Focus on injuries, treatment and the trenches

Paper 2: Period Study and British Depth Study (40%)

  • Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 - Examining tensions between East and West from the end of WWII to the collapse of the Soviet Union
  • Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88 - Exploring the challenges facing Elizabeth I and how she overcame them

Paper 3: Modern Depth Study (30%)

  • Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39 - Investigating the creation of the Weimar Republic, its challenges, Hitler's rise to power, and life in Nazi Germany

Assessment

The GCSE History course is assessed through three written exams at the end of Year 11:

  • Paper 1: 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Paper 2: 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • Paper 3: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Throughout the course, students develop skills in analyzing and evaluating historical sources and interpretations, explaining causation, change and continuity, and constructing well-substantiated historical arguments.

Additional Historical Opportunities

History Club

Our weekly History Club allows students to explore historical topics beyond the curriculum through films, documentaries, debates, and independent research projects. The club often focuses on aspects of history not covered in the main curriculum, such as Ancient civilizations or local history.

Historical Visits

Regular visits to historical sites, museums, and archives enhance students' learning and bring history to life. Recent trips have included the Imperial War Museum, the British Museum, the Tower of London, and the battlefields of the Western Front (for GCSE students).

Competitions and Projects

Students have opportunities to participate in historical research projects and competitions, such as the Historical Association's Great Debate and the Lessons from Auschwitz project. These enable students to deepen their knowledge and develop their presentation skills.

Guest Speakers

We invite historians, authors, and individuals with personal experiences of historical events to share their knowledge and perspectives with our students, enriching their understanding of the past and its relevance to contemporary issues.

How Parents Can Help

  • Encourage interest in the past through discussions, films, documentaries, and historical fiction
  • Visit historical sites, museums, and exhibitions together
  • Discuss current affairs and their historical context
  • Support GCSE students with revision using recommended resources
  • Encourage wider reading around historical topics
  • Help students to see the relevance of history to understanding the contemporary world
  • Ask about what period of history they are studying and show interest in their learning

Useful Resources

Websites

Recommended Reading

Museums and Sites

Media Resources

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