The History Department is run by three full time, enthusiastic  and committed historians, Mrs Donna Morton (Head), Mrs Sally McDiarmid and Mr Alan Carpenter. We believe strongly in the principles that the topics we teach are appropriate yet challenging, that everyone has the opportunity to do their best and that students are able to relate what they are learning in History to their own lives.

The History department comprises three spacious and well equipped classrooms each with an interactive whiteboard and projector. We also have a set of student laptops which students are able to use to develop their historical knowledge and understanding through ICT. All History classrooms are designed to provide a stimulating learning environment with a mixture of student work and support material visually displayed.

The Curriculum
Key Stage 3 – Year 7-9

We follow the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum requirements for History both in terms of the units of study delivered and the historical concepts and skills to be developed.
The key concepts to be delivered through Key Stage Three are:

• Chronological understanding
• Cultural, ethnic and religious diversity
• Change and continuity
• Cause and consequence
• Significance
• Interpretation

The key skills to be delivered through Key Stage Three are:

• Historical enquiry
• Using evidence
• Communicating about the past

In Year 7 students study the following topics:

• What makes History special?
• 1066 and the Norman conquest
• Medieval religion and the Crusades
• Who was the best and was the worst medieval King?
• The Tudors

In Year 8 students study the following topics:

• The Making of the UK
• The Industrial Revolution
• The French Revolution
• A local history unit

In Year 9 students study the following topics:

• Rights and freedoms (to include the slave trade, apartheid and the Holocaust)
• The changing nature of warfare (to include aspects of World War One, World War Two and the Cold War)

Key Stage 4 – Year 10-11

The GCSE examination course that we follow is OCR History B Modern World Syllabus. The aim of the course is to give students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and an understanding of selected periods and aspects of History and how the past has been interpreted. Students will be taught how to use historical sources critically through the study of British, European and International topics. Students will develop skills in retrieving, organising, analysing and communicating information.

The course is split into 4 sections

• The inter war years 1919-1945
• Germany 1919-1945
• Britain 1939-to mid 1970’s
• Controlled conditions assessment

 

 

The course is assessed through a terminal examination (worth 75%) and controlled conditions assessment (worth 25%)

Key Stage 5 – Year 12-13

The GCE examination course that we follow is awarded by Edexcel. The History AS and A level course offered at Sawtry aims to provide breadth, depth and variety. It is a highly respected academic subject and the skills acquired on this course help to lay strong foundations for further study. History also serves as an excellent preparation for employment in education, law, research and many other areas. This course builds on the content and skills learned at GCSE History whilst developing an understanding of history from a national, European and international perspective.

 

 

AS Content

• Pursuing Life and Liberty: Equality in the USA, 1945-68
• Ideology, Conflict and Retreat:  the USA in Asia 1950-73
• Britain c1830-85: Representation and Reform.

A2 Content

• France 1786-1830: Revolution, Empire and Restoration
• The Making of Modern Russia 1856-1964

 

Extra curricular activities

Currently the department runs a very popular History club. We also offer all students the opportunity to develop their enjoyment and understanding of History outside of the classroom.

• Year 7 experience medieval life with a visit from a company who teach them about aspects of medieval life such as armour and food.
• Year 8 visit the Black Country museum to enhance their understanding of the Industrial revolution
• Year 9 have a day trip to the World War One battlefields in Ypres, Belgium
• Year 10 travel to the Imperial War Museum in London with a particular focus on the Holocaust Exhibition
• Year 12 and 13 have an annual visit to the National Archives at Kew to develop their knowledge and understanding of their programmes of study.

History CAREERS

Why should you study History?
Besides gaining knowledge, History can help you develop a range of skills that are relevant to many different careers. They include;

• Investigation and research techniques – collecting evidence and assessing how reliable, relevant or biased it may be.

• Analysing situations and events, identifying causes and effects.

 

• The management and presentation of information.

• The ability to argue a case.

 

• Writing skills.

• The ability to think critically and form considered opinions on the basis of the evidence available.

There are three main ways of using History;

• In work where a knowledge of the past or of historical objects is important.

• In careers where a knowledge of historical events is useful in order to understand current affairs.

 

• In jobs that make use of the skills learned through studying History, such as in research and presentation.

History is a valuable subject to study for the following careers:

• Administrator
• Ancient building inspector
• Antiques/art dealer
• Antiquarian bookseller
• Archaeological surveyor
• Archaeologist
• Archivist
• Art gallery manager/assistant
• Art valuer
• Arts administrator
• Auctioneer/valuer
• Barrister
• Building conservation worker
• Building surveyor
• Cartographer
• Conserver of works of art
• Costume/wardrobe designer
• Economist
• Genealogist
• Heritage site manager
• Historical researcher/archivist
• Horologist
• Interior designer
• Journalist/writer
• Landscape conservationist
• Legal work
• Librarian
• Make-up artist
• Museum curator/assistant/technician
• Musical instrument restorer
• Political researcher
• Politician
• Stage/set designer
• Solicitor
• Teacher/lecturer
• Textile conserver
• Tourist information work
• Tour guide/holiday representative
• TV/film researcher

These are just some ideas....there are many more!