History 

 

History’s aims and purpose from the National Curriculum

To help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It inspires pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching equips pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.

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History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the
process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time

 

Why History is valuable in our view

We believe the study of history has enormous transformative potential and we believe that our students at SPA deserve the very best experience possible. We have
therefore tirelessly developed a totally bespoke curriculum so that every lesson is purposeful and connected concisely, fulfilling an ambitious wider aim for what students
should leave knowing, feeling, thinking and being able to do. The BMB curriculum takes learners on an exhilarating journey through all of time and across every continent
and leaves learners feeling curious, informed, confident, energised, positive and prepared. In this safe supportive environment students come ready to learn with high
personal expectations and eager to challenge themselves.

How SPA History’s curriculum develops SPA’s whole-school curricula priorities

Big Ideas - Students are introduced to some of the most incredible and unbelievable content and concepts as they progress through each unit. For example the Known World, conspiracy
theories, spy gadgets, the Tsar bomb, Pangea and King Arthur. These Big Ideas serve to inspire a love of learning and enquiry and also build strong cultural capital.
Academic literacy: The mastery of various literary elements is fundamental to progressing in history, therefore, SPA History places a strong focus on developing it, referring it to as “show it”.

 

Students are introduced to our literacy routines in year 7, and become familiar with what is needed to progress by using the Hero’s Path. Students become comfortable self-assessing their work by breaking down what makes an expert answer into its component elements. These elements, for example expert words (specialist vocabulary), are developed in a variety of ways.

Future You: students are introduced to a wide range of potential future professions as they progress through each unit. Professions are carefully matched to seamlessly tie in with the lesson content and students reflect on and record desirable and less-desirable aspects of that profession to build up a better understanding of their personal preferences. Some professions that we
introduce students to are Cyber Security, Architect, Epidemiologist and Journalist.