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KS3: MYP English

Intent

Our aims are to inspire, enthuse and motivate students to have a love of history within their studies at KS3 and beyond. We want to develop students’ historical knowledge, understanding and skills should bring benefit and enrichment to their everyday life as well as in their professional life beyond school. We hope that this will give students a thirst for knowledge to explore their past and structures that have shaped society.

Furthermore, through broad historical concepts and topics, students will appreciate from their studies in history the diverse and complex world in which we live and be accepting of all views and values.

Curriculum Journey

The MYP is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasises intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement—essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders. Students will learn a broad and diverse range of historical topics, with cross curricular and global perspectives interleaved through the lessons. Throughout these topics, students will develop the skills of analysing sources, understanding interpretations, using evidence to support their judgements and create balanced arguments. This will ensure that they have a broad understanding of vital historical topics and a strong foundation for GCSE and Higher Education in history.

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Romans (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 2: The Norman Conquest (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 3: The King vs. The Church (Criteria A, C and D)
  • Module 4: Late Medieval – The Black Death and Peasants’ Revolt (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 5: Reformation of the Church (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 6: Elizabethan Culture (Criteria A, C and D)

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: The Transatlantic Slave Trade (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 2: The British Empire (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 3: The Industrial Revolution (Criteria A, C and D)
  • Module 4: Suffrage in the 19th century (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 5: World War I (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 6: 1920s America (Criteria A, C and D)

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Russian Revolution (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 2: Rise of the Nazis (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 3: The Holocaust (Criteria A, C and D)
  • Module 4: Post WWII Britain (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 5: Civil Rights (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 6: Changing World (Criteria A, C and D)

Assessment

For each topic, across key stage three, students will carry out research, rehearse, perform and evaluate their own or another individual’s work.

Criteria

How this is assessed

1 – Knowledge and Understanding

Students develop factual and conceptual knowledge about individuals and societies.

In order to reach the aims of individuals and societies, students should be able to:

  • use terminology in context
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject-specific content and concepts through descriptions, explanations and examples.

2 – Research

Students develop systematic research skills and processes associated with disciplines in the humanities and 

social sciences. Students develop successful strategies for investigating independently and in collaboration 

with others.

In order to reach the aims of individuals and societies, students should be able to:

  • formulate a clear and focused research question and justify its relevance
  • formulate and follow an action plan to investigate a research question
  • use research methods to collect and record relevant information
  • evaluate the process and results of the investigation.

3 – Communication

Students develop skills to organise, document and communicate their learning using a variety of media and 

presentation formats.

In order to reach the aims of individuals and societies, students should be able to:

  • communicate information and ideas using an appropriate style for the audience and purpose
  • structure information and ideas in a way that is appropriate to the specified format
  • document sources of information using a recognized convention.

4 – Critical Thinking

Students use critical thinking skills to develop and apply their understanding of individuals and societies 

and the process of investigation.

In order to reach the aims of individuals and societies, students should be able to:

  • discuss concepts, issues, models, visual representation and theories
  • synthesise information to make valid arguments
  • analyse and evaluate a range of sources/data in terms of origin and purpose, examining value and limitations
  • interpret different perspectives and their implications.

Final grades are then awarded from a range of 1-8, with each ascending grade demonstrating the students mastery of that particular subject.

Resources

KS4: GCSE English Language

Intent

We believe in the importance of learning from history. We provide a curriculum that allows students to study different aspects of the past, so they can engage with key issues such as conflict, understand what drives change and how the past influences the present. We include exciting topics for today’s world that will resonate with students, helping them gain new insights into the world around them. GCSE History builds on the skills and topics at Key Stage 3, source analysis, understanding of cause and consequence and the ability to discuss opposing interpretations, equipping students with essential skills and preparing them for further study.

Curriculum Journey

Students’ exploration of a wide variety of Literature genres equips them with the range of text types to be able to study Literature at IB level.    

Students’ knowledge of the varying approaches to Psychological investigation equips them with the expertise required for university study in the subject. In year 12 the foundations of research are explored by students allowing them later to participate in the internal assessment project which replicates the real world experience of conducting Psychological investigations. In Year 13, students make use of this research knowledge by applying this understanding to a range of contemporary research in fields such as psychological disorders and cognitive science. Underpinning all aspects of the two year course are the foundational approaches to Psychology so that students can analyse each field and its supporting research through the lens of cognitive, biological and sociocultural approaches.

Careers

Pupils studying English Language will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Journalism
  • Teaching
  • Archivist
  • Librarian

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

  • Students will be assessed each term on what they have studied with a 1 hour GCSE paper on that topic
  • Students will complete mock exams in both Years 10 and 11 to ensure that they are familiar with the exam procedures and can be fully assessed in all topics that have been studied

Students will sit 2 papers, each 2 hours long

Paper 1 (50%):

  • Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship 1890 – 1945
  • Conflict and Tension: The Interwar Years 1918 – 1939

Paper 2 (50%):

  • The Norman Conquest c1066 – c1100
  • Britain: Health and the People c1000 to present day

Schedule of learning

  • Modules 1-2: Health and the People
  • Modules 3-4: Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship
  • Modules 5-6: Conflict and Tension

Schedule of learning

  • Modules 1-2: The Norman Conquest
  • Modules 3-5: Revision