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History
History teaches us to learn not only about the past but valuable lessons for the present too. As the philosopher George Santayana said: “Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it”.
At Deer Park, history students are urged to question things they read and to look for evidence of bias in interpretations. They are asked to judge the significance of issues, events and individuals before reaching a well explained conclusion to their thoughts.
The skills which are developed in History lessons are of immense value beyond the classroom and have lifelong significance. Pupils are encouraged to be inquisitive, questioning and to explore the notion of “what if…?” Building learning power is central to all History lessons at Deer Park. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own learning, to work independently and to think not only about what they learn but how they learn too.
KS3 History
When pupils start at Deer Park their first History lessons involve many skills based activities in order to get them thinking as good historians. This involves asking questions of sources, examining evidence in the form of artefacts and testing ideas to see what truth there may be in different interpretations offered for historical developments. This “Historical toolkit” then allows them to examine the past with confidence and to make informed judgements about events.
In Year 7, pupils investigate the movements and settlements to this nation from the Roman period onwards before focussing specifically on the Medieval period and the consequences of the Norman invasion in 1066. Pupils also study the Renaissance in Year Seven before moving on to look at the experiences of the Native North Americans.
In Year 8 pupils focus specifically on the development of Britain from 1500 to 1900. This involves a particular focus on the English Civil War with the opportunity to see how life was lived at this time under the guidance of a visiting expert who allows the pupils to wear and handle the equipment used by soldiers from the time. Pupils move on to look at the growth and impact of the British Empire, including a study of the contentious issue of Slavery.
In Year 9, things are brought up to date with a study of the consequences of both World War I and World War II. Particular focus is placed upon Life in the World War I Trenches and on the causes consequences and contemporary relevance of the Holocaust.
In all our study units, emphasis is placed on building learning power: pupils are encouraged to become independent and enthusiastic learners, able to share their ideas with others and to reflect positively on both what and how they learn.
KS4 History
When pupils have opted to take History at GCSE they can embark on a varied and dynamic new course. The emphasis now is on using the skills developed in the extension tasks in Key Stage 3 to produce excellent quality coursework which demonstrates pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills at utilising evidence. They are encouraged to make informed judgements based on the topics they have studied.
The GCSE will consist of 4 distinct units with skills which transfer between them.
A controlled assessment unit will focus on the invaders and raiders of Britain, paying particular attention to how Saxon, Viking and Norman societies developed.
Pupils also make a commitment to study their own geographical area and to see how that local heritage can best be presented to the public in order to promote greater understanding of the local regions historical development.
An in depth study of the rise of Nazi Germany also forms a part of this GCSE course. This unit allows pupils to see what happens when extremism goes unchecked and offers the opportunity for an intensely rewarding visit to Germany, staying in and around the historic but vibrantly modern city of Munich.
Bringing this GCSE up to date is module which explores the causes and devastating consequences of International Terrorism. This will focus particularly on the 9/11 attacks and will explore the ways in which those acts of terrorism have changed international relations forever.
