History at Newtownhamilton High School
‘A generation which ignores history has no past and no future’. Robert Heinlein
History Department Aims:
To develop in our pupils a knowledge and understanding of people - what motivates them, what they think and how they feel.
To empower pupils to become thinking citizens of the 21st century by learning to defend their views in class while listening and responding to opposing ideas.
To enable our pupils to become good communicators - good historians have to argue their case orally and on paper.
To develop the skills necessary to carry out an historical enquiry.
To stimulate and maintain pupils’ interest in the past using a wide range of teaching strategies and resources such as ICT, media analysis and thinking skills lessons.
To develop skills of critical thinking.
To give pupils a sense of identity and understanding of the present through their knowledge of the past.
A sense of enjoyment - history is fun and engaging!
Key Stage 3
At Newtownhamilton High School we like to see the study of history as a journey:
Year 8 pupils will become amateur detectives developing their historical skills of enquiry, solving mysteries and considering who they are and how their identity has been shaped by the past. They will find out about the Normans and all their adventures enjoying a visit from the Living History team where they will meet some famous Normans, helping them to choose their new King of England! They will also venture to Carrickfergus Castle where they will discover how the Normans really lived!
Year 9 pupils will study the significant events of 1500-1700, developing their skills of enquiry, asking questions about what makes an event or person important and why? They will weigh up the pros and cons of exploration on societies in the past; they will think about whether the Great Famine was managed properly and find out why Queen Elizabeth I executed her cousin! They will challenge the myth of King William.
Year 10 will develop their understanding of significant events of the 20th century; evaluating the changes that took place and considering what and who made a difference? Pupils will investigate critical issues in history e.g. the use of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima & Nagasaki, 1945 and how we should remember the Holocaust. They will consider the impact that the war had in the 20th century and why Ireland was partitioned.
All historians should always come prepared to class and be ready to research, ask questions, gather evidence and reach justified conclusions. At the end of each year pupils will evaluate what they have learned so far, looking forward and focusing on how they can develop their historical skills further.
A New Approach to History
The History department is welcoming, innovative and forward-thinking. We strive to employ a variety of engaging teaching strategies and approaches that meet the individual needs of our pupils. We have launched a new and exciting History Blog Portal which has proved very popular with our students, enabling them to keep in contact with their History teacher and each other! Pupils are able to exchange ideas, collaborate on historical enquiries and presentations as well as debate key questions and issues that they are investigating in class. The History Blog can be accessed through the link at the bottom of this page.
We would also encourage our GCSE History students to visit the school’s VLE (Moodle) to access additional resources and links to useful websites for consolidation and revision purposes.
We endeavour to provide our pupils with a range of opportunities to participate in historical trips and visits, bringing the history that they have been studying in class to life. History is engaging and lots of fun, as you can tell from the happy snaps shown below that were taken on our visit to Carrickfergus Castle in June 2011. History is not just about the past it’s right up to date!
Why study GCSE History?
It is fascinating and you will develop an even greater interest and enthusiasm for history over the two years!
You will be studying some of the major turning points, as well as some of the most exciting and most tragic events of the 20th century.
To fully understand the significance history has for today’s society; increasing your knowledge and understanding of the world that you live in.
To become aware of how the past has been represented, interpreted and given significance for different reasons and purposes.
To develop skills that will equip you for future employment.
Assessment
Content Assessment Weighting
Unit 1: Studies in Depth
Germany, 1918-1941
Peace, War & Neutrality: Britain, N Ireland and Ireland, 1932-1949
Externally assessed (2 hour written exam worth 50%)
Unit 2: Outline Study
The Cold War, 1945-1991
Externally assessed (1 hour 15 minute written exam worth 25%)
Unit 3: Investigative Study (Controlled Assessment)
The assassination of President John F Kennedy in 1963
You will have the opportunity to carry out your own research on this issue
It will be internally assessed & externally moderated and is worth 25%
At GCSE pupils carry out two studies in depth: the first focuses on Germany in the period 1918-1941 and examines the tumultuous birth of the Weimar Republic, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, and his domestic and foreign policies which culminated in the cataclysm of World War II.
The second study in depth deals with Britain and Ireland from 1930 to 1949. Pupils have the opportunity to examine the erosion of the links between Britain and Eire in the 1930s, the experience of WWII, N. Ireland's contribution to the war effort, and the introduction of the Welfare State. Pupils will encounter such figures as De Valera, Churchill, Attlee and Craig in their studies.
GCSE historians at Newtownhamilton High School also carry out an outline study on the Cold War from 1945 to 1991. This study looks at the events of the second half of the 20th century in which the superpowers vied for supremacy on the world stage. Key events include: the end of WWII, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Prague Spring, the Vietnam War and the downfall of the Soviet Union.
The final section of the GCSE study involves a controlled assessment task. Here pupils will investigate an historical interpretation of the assassination of President JFK in 1963 using different pieces of evidence. These will include their analysis of the film ‘JFK’, news reports from the time, newspaper articles and official government reports. This controlled assessment is worth 25% of the overall GCSE qualification and is carried out in school.
Career Possibilities
The vast array of skills that you will develop whilst studying GCSE History will take you anywhere! A huge range of careers will be open to you; the list is endless. However a few career possibilities are listed below:
Anything you put your mind to!
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