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History

The History department at Sandy Secondary School aims to engage, encourage, inspire and challenge all pupils to develop their intellectual curiosity about the development of British, European and world history. Students deepen their knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures that have shaped the world we live in.

Our curriculum helps students appreciate the importance of British values — democracy, tolerance, justice and equality — while developing the analytical and evaluative skills they need for academic success and life in modern Britain.

Ethan Perry

Teacher of History

Helen Bacon

Senior Curriculum Leader History, Politics & Sociology

Michael McLernan

Teacher of Humanities

Rhys Elias

Teacher of History

Samuel Watt

Head of History

Serina Langdale

House Leader - Excellence/Teacher of History & RE

Subject Information Sheets

Download curriculum overviews and subject information sheets for History at each key stage.

Subject Information Sheets

Curriculum documents for History.

Sandy Secondary School History Department curriculum map showing 13 year groups with topics from Norman England to Tudor rebellion and First World War.

Our Approach to History

Our History department focuses on three key areas that shape everything we do.

British & World History

Exploring the development of Britain from feudal society to modern democracy, alongside European and world history across all key stages.

Source Analysis

Developing the ability to cross-reference sources, understand cause and effect, and interpret evidence to form structured historical arguments.

Democracy & Values

Understanding the importance of tolerance, democracy, liberal values, and equality in British society and the wider world.

Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact

Our History curriculum is built around three core pillars. Expand the sections below to read our full statements on what we aim to achieve, how we deliver it, and the difference it makes to our students.

  • It is our intent for History at Sandy Secondary School to engage, encourage, inspire and challenge all pupils to develop their intellectual curiosity to learn about the development of British, European and world History.
  • Pupils will be able to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the society and cultures that we live in.
  • The History curriculum will help students to appreciate the importance of the British values of democracy, tolerance, justice and equality. This will prepare our students for life in modern Britain.
  • The curriculum is implemented through the development of knowledge and skills over time.
  • At KS3 the breadth of the curriculum helps students to develop their understanding of the growth of Britain from a feudal, semi-feudal to democratic society.
  • Assessments are given every half term and at the end of each area of study. At KS3 students are assessed on their knowledge recall and key historical skills and concepts.
  • Exam questions at KS4 are modelled on the exam specification.
  • Throughout each stage the course strengthens students contextual understanding of the development of societies and the cultural and social values that developed across the period.
  • Progression is mapped in a coherent way using assessment criteria across all key stages, allowing students to develop their higher level skills of analysis and evaluation.
  • Regular extended writing allows students to develop their literacy and analytical skills, incorporating key ideas and vocabulary.
  • Students develop their ability to show links and connections across time periods and establish the ability to assess significance.
  • At KS4 students develop their literacy and evaluative skills further by following the Edexcel History course.
  • There is the scope for students to develop informed and structured written arguments that focus on developments across society.
  • By the end KS3 pupils will be familiar with the developments in England c1000 to the end of the 20th century. Pupils will be able to describe details of various systems of government.
  • The overview of the rule of monarchs and the role of the state and other institutions in England.
  • Students will understand the importance of tolerance, democracy, liberal values and equality in british society.
  • By the end of KS4 pupils will be able to cross reference across the various areas of study.
  • Students will have developed an understanding of cause & effect by analysing changes in Law & order and the role of the rule of law in governing society.
  • Pupils will be able to develop arguments about religious & cultural change and the position of female leaders in society based on the rule of Elizabeth I.
  • They will be able to understand the impact of the Cold War and relations between the USA and the USSR and the influence on the development of post world war two society.
  • Pupils will be able to explain in detail the development of society in Germany after WW1 and the impact of dictatorship and democracy.
  • By the end of KS5 students will be developed historians with a wide range of knowledge and contextual understanding of developments across different phases of history.
  • The impact of cause and effect on the development of society and the rule of law in different societies in the 20th century.
  • Students will have developed the ability to understand and interpret evidence and explain the utility of sources and the fact that there are different interpretations in history based on contextual knowledge and influences in society.
Students learning
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Begin Your History Journey

Discover how History can shape your future — explore our curriculum from KS3 through to Sixth Form.

Contact the History Department