At John Kyrle, History lessons focus on stimulating curiosity, interest and enjoyment about the past. As well as cultivating knowledge of key historical events and their causes and effects, the Department also concentrates on teaching students a range of valuable and transferable skills, such as interpretation, analysis, evaluation and the effective communication of ideas and opinions. History lessons enable students to consider how the past influences the present and understand where they fit within the wider community.

The Department delivers the curriculum using a variety of teaching methods so that all students, regardless of ability, can fully engage with the learning that is taking place. We endeavour to enable students to become both talented historians and inquisitive citizens of the world, who are ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century.

 

Teaching staff

• Mr Tom Moore: Head of Department t.moore@jkhs.org.uk
• Mrs Emma Skelton
• Mrs Sarah Gooch
• Mrs Sophie Hunter
• Mr Tom Hotchkiss

Key stage 3 History

In Years 7-9 students study a range of topics broadly in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum. Students receive 3 lessons per fortnight and are taught in their tutor groups. Lessons are built around ‘Enquiry Questions’ which engage students, develop key skills and cover a wide range of historical events which have shaped our world. As a result, pupils will develop into thoughtful, tolerant and knowledgeable citizens.  

Year 7

• How did William the Conqueror maintain control?
• Who had the power in Medieval England?
• Why did Europeans go on Crusades?
• What was life like for ordinary people?
• How did the Silk Roads shape the Medieval World?
• How did the Tudors take and maintain control?
• How did power and religion change under the Tudors?
• Was the Elizabethan Age really golden?
• How diverse was Early Modern England?

Year 8

• Were the Civil Wars a British Revolution?
• Is Oliver Cromwell a national hero?
• How did the world revolt in the 18^th century?
• How should we remember slavery?
• Was the Industrial Revolution ‘Liberty’s Dawn’?
• How much equality was achieved in Britain by 1900?
• Why was the Native American way of life destroyed?

Year 9

• What caused WW1 and how was it fought?
• Did terrorism get women the vote?
• How did Hitler take and maintain control of Germany?
• How should we remember the Holocaust?
• What happened during WW2?
• How far did post war Britain and its empire change?
• To what extent was equality achieved in the US by 1975?
• Terrorists or freedom fighters?

Key Stage 4 (KS4) History Curriculum

Our KS4 history curriculum, following the Edexcel GCSE course, offers students a rich exploration of key historical periods and themes designed to broaden their understanding of human history. The curriculum covers:

• Early Elizabethan England (1558–1588): This module delves into the political, social, and religious developments during a transformative period in British history, examining governance, international relations, and the intricacies of Elizabethan society.
• Crime and Punishment in England (1000–Present): Students explore a millennium of legal developments, societal values, and the evolving role of institutions in shaping justice and law enforcement in England.
• USA: At Home and Abroad (1954–1975): Focusing on post-war America, this topic investigates civil rights movements, domestic policies, and the country’s role in global conflicts, offering students a critical understanding of modern American history.
• The American West (1835–1895): This unit explores the expansion of the American frontier, conflicts with Indigenous peoples, and the cultural exchange that defined this era, encouraging students to challenge traditional historical narratives.

Through these topics, students gain essential knowledge and skills to not only understand the past but also engage critically with contemporary issues and ideas.

 

Key Stage 5 (KS5) History Curriculum

At KS5, our A-Level history curriculum provides students with an in-depth study of pivotal historical periods and themes. The program focuses on:

• The Rise and Fall of the USSR (1917–1991): Students explore the complex political, social, and ideological forces that shaped the Soviet Union, with particular focus on communism and totalitarianism.
• The German Democratic Republic (GDR): This module offers an examination of governance, surveillance, and resistance within the GDR, exploring the state’s relationship to Nazi Germany and the USSR during a time of division in post-war Europe.
• Tudor Rebellion and Government (1485–1603): Students investigate the strategies of governance, religious change, and the social factors driving rebellion during the Tudor period, a crucial era in British history.

In addition to these core topics, students undertake an independent coursework research project on a topic of their choosing, provided it allows for substantial debate among historians. This research project helps students develop critical research, analysis, and academic writing skills that are invaluable for higher education and beyond.

Our KS5 curriculum aims to nurture well-rounded historians who are not only knowledgeable about the past but also capable of applying their skills to contemporary debates and challenges.