Secondary History
Anybody can make history. Only a great man can write it.
Oscar Wilde
At Hollinwood, history is delivered as an immersive approach for all young people, designed to give them an understanding of the world locally, nationally, and globally, both past and present. Our aim is to develop an inquiring approach to learning and the world around them.
In history, we strive to equip young people with the ability to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. By engaging in the study of history, young people are encouraged to explore different historical sources, evaluate conflicting accounts, and arrive at well-informed conclusions.
Ultimately, our goal is for all young people to gain knowledge of the world around them and significant past events. Through the study of history, young people develop a sense of chronology and an understanding of how the present is influenced by the past. Moreover, it provides them with opportunities to practice essential literacy, communication, and numeracy skills, enhancing their overall educational experience.
At Hollinwood Academy, we believe that history plays a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals who can appreciate diversity, understand different perspectives, and make informed decisions based on a rich understanding of the past. Through our immersive approach to history, we foster a passion for learning, encourage critical thinking, and nurture a strong sense of global citizenship in our young learners.
History Lessons at Hollinwood Academy
Through the teaching of history, at Hollinwood Academy, we strive to encourage young people to ask thought-provoking questions, seek answers, form opinions, and cultivate new skills. Our history curriculum plays a significant role in fostering their awareness of why the world around them is the way it is, helping them understand and appreciate their role in society.
The history curriculum is delivered to all young people at Key Stage 3 for two lessons per week, following termly topics. Our aim is to empower young people with a profound understanding of the past, equipping them with knowledge and skills that nurture their intellectual growth. We encourage young people to reflect, analyse, and appreciate the rich tapestry of human history.
In our classrooms, Teaching Assistants play a vital role in enhancing teaching and learning. Their presence and support are particularly important. At Key Stage 4, young people receive three lessons per week in the subject that best suits their academic needs.
We incorporate literacy and numeracy activities into our history lessons whenever possible. Additionally, literacy-based tasks are included in all assessments, and numeracy is emphasized where appropriate, particularly when analysing sources, data, and artifacts. To support all learners throughout Key Stage 3 and 4, we commonly use glossaries, aiding literacy skills.
At Hollinwood Academy, we believe that history lessons not only provide academic learning but also encourage students to develop critical thinking skills, cultural appreciation, and a deeper understanding of their place in the world.
Schemes of Work
The history scheme of work at Hollinwood Academy is designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the National Curriculum for England. It is aimed at igniting curiosity, nurturing critical thinking, and developing a comprehensive understanding of local, national, and global history.
At Hollinwood Academy, we believe that creating a mental map of historical events is crucial in facilitating connections and analysis. To achieve this, we adopt an experiential approach to teaching history, using a multi-sensory rich bank of concrete resources.
We actively incorporate literacy and numeracy activities into our history lessons, seeking literacy-based tasks within assessments and numeracy whenever appropriate. Our schemes incorporate opportunities on analysing sources, data, and artifacts, enhancing young peoples' overall historical skills. Our aim is to provide our young people with a well-rounded and robust history education.
Curriculum Adaptations and Pedagogy
The curriculum adaptations and pedagogy at Hollinwood Academy is centered around meeting the unique needs and abilities of every learner, ensuring equal opportunities for academic, personal, and social development. The primary goals include:
1. Inclusivity: Adapt the curriculum to ensure that all learners have access to quality education, regardless of their individual needs.
2. Adaptive Teaching: Provide personalised learning experiences that cater to the diverse abilities, interests, and learning styles of the children and young people.
3. Progression: Foster a holistic and sequential approach to learning, allowing children and young people to build on their prior knowledge, skills, and understanding from their identified starting points.
4. Empowerment: Develop independent learners who are equipped with the skills, resilience, and self-confidence required to succeed academically and, in their future lives.
Curriculum Adaptations and Pedagogy
Assessment
Assessment in History at Hollinwood Academy encompasses various aspects, including chronological understanding, vocabulary usage, questioning techniques, and historical knowledge. Our aim is to provide our young people with a well-rounded and robust history education.
Assessments are adapted to meet the needs of all our learners, including assessing their ability to ask simple questions, observe, solve problems, and predict. At KS4, young people are assessed according to the objectives of the subject and the exam board used.
To capture evidence of this engagement, we use the Evidence for Learning platform, where both the learner and the teacher can document their observations and reflections. This platform allows us to monitor and track each young person’s progress over time, ensuring that they are meeting the required curriculum standards.
Our assessments are both formative and summative, providing ongoing opportunities for teachers to assess young people’s understanding and skill development. Within each lesson, teachers are provided with guidance to support them in assessing young people against the learning objectives. Additionally, at the end of each unit, we employ a skill catcher and knowledge assessment quiz to provide a summative assessment of the young people’s learning.
To provide personalised support, each young person has bespoke and individualised history progress targets. These targets are closely tracked, and we foster a strong partnership with parents by sharing them on a termly basis via Arbor, our digital communication platform.
Qualifications
Hollinwood Academy is proud to offer young people the opportunity to gain a comprehensive range of history qualifications. These qualifications are designed to equip young people with the essential knowledge and skills in history, enabling them to excel in their academic pursuits and future careers.
Young people have the option to study History iGCSE, which follows the Edexcel Exam Board. This qualification provides a solid foundation in historical concepts, themes, and analysis, encouraging critical thinking and historical understanding.
Additionally, we offer History ELC, following the OCR Exam Board. This qualification is designed to engage and support students who may have additional educational needs and provides them with a stepping stone towards further historical study.
By offering these qualifications, we aim to instill a love for history in our students, fostering their curiosity and understanding of the past. It is our belief that by studying history, students can gain valuable insights into the world we live in today.
Technology
We believe in the power of technology to enhance learning, and we have made it an integral part of our history curriculum. At the primary stage, we embrace the use of iPads and other technological tools, enabling all young people to engage actively with their learning. By utilising these resources, we aim to remove barriers and make science accessible for every young person.
All young people have access to a wide range of interactive history and learning apps, including:
To further consolidate learning, we also incorporate various interactive history games into our lessons. These games provide young people with opportunities to apply their history knowledge in a stimulating and enjoyable way. By making use of technology in such a manner, we not only enhance understanding but also instil a love for history in our young people. At Hollinwood Academy, we firmly believe that by embracing technology, we can empower our young people to overcome challenges and reach their full potential in history and beyond.
