History

History should develop pupils' understanding of differing cultural contexts and broaden their horizons.

At Westbourne School, pupils begin their secondary history journey in Year 7 with a thematic study on empires. Learners focus on the Ancient Roman, Medieval Islamic, and modern British Empires, identifying similarities and differences in their rises and falls while questioning the motivations behind each empire’s actions.

In Year 8, pupils engage with two major depth studies. The first explores Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, analysing the experiences of black Britons in Georgian England and considering the lasting legacy of the slave trade. The second depth study focuses on the First World War, its key events, and the lasting consequences it had on Europe. These studies are framed by a thematic study of the Industrial Revolution, with a particular emphasis on its impact on Sheffield.

In Year 9, pupils build on their chronological study with a focus on the inter-war period in Germany. They examine Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, the factors behind his dictatorship, and how his policies led to the inevitable outbreak of the Second World War. The major depth study in Year 9 centres on World War II, with pupils evaluating significant events and key turning points in the conflict. The curriculum also includes a study of the Holocaust, facilitated by resources from the Holocaust Education Trust, where pupils investigate the lives impacted by the genocide and the long-lasting legacy of this tragedy.

The aim of our history curriculum is to equip pupils with transferable skills and a strong academic foundation. By learning to “write like a historian,” pupils develop the ability to analyse, argue, and assess interpretations. In Year 8 and Year 9, we scaffold this learning through modelling and support grids, gradually encouraging greater independence and confidence in technical writing. This approach ensures that pupils are well-prepared for future academic study.

For pupils who choose to continue studying history at Key Stage 4, they will follow the OCR B specification and sit their GCSE exams at the end of Year 11. The units of study, each contributing 20% to their final grade, include:

• The People’s Health (c.1250-Present)
• The Norman Conquest (1066-1087)
• History Around Us (Site study on Conisbrough Castle)
• The Making of America (1789-1900)
• Living Under Nazi Rule (1933-1945)