History
Teaching Staff:
History is the greatest story ever told. Real people, real lives and real events that span over the millennia of time.
KS3
At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the NI Curriculum. The Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to empower pupils to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives as individuals, as contributors to society, and as contributors to the economy and the environment. Studying History teaches pupils to question and to challenge the origin and context of information past and present, thus equipping them with critical thinking skills to engage with important events and issues in the world. Teachers use a variety of teaching and learning methodologies to develop within students a keen interest in History.
In Year 8 students investigate the following topics.
Our Year 9 students investigate the following topics:
In Year 10 students investigate significant events of the 20th Century.
GCSE
History is a very popular subject at GCSE.
The department follows the CCEA specification.
A Level
History continues to be a popular option at A Level. The Department follows the CCEA specification.
A Level History is 100% examination based.
In Year 13 students study:
Students also have the opportunity to visit Dublin in Year 14 to enhance their study of the course.
A biannual trip to Poland is offered to all Students in 6th form. This includes a visit to Auschwitz and the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor.
The History Department has enjoyed great success at GCSE and A Level, with results consistently being above the N.I. average. Many of our students have gone on to study History at undergraduate and post-graduate level.
- Mrs R McBride – BA (Hons), PGCE - Head of Department
- Mr S Elliott – BA (Hons), MA, PGCE
History is the greatest story ever told. Real people, real lives and real events that span over the millennia of time.
KS3
At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the NI Curriculum. The Northern Ireland Curriculum aims to empower pupils to achieve their potential and to make informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives as individuals, as contributors to society, and as contributors to the economy and the environment. Studying History teaches pupils to question and to challenge the origin and context of information past and present, thus equipping them with critical thinking skills to engage with important events and issues in the world. Teachers use a variety of teaching and learning methodologies to develop within students a keen interest in History.
In Year 8 students investigate the following topics.
- What is History? Why is it important?
- What skills can I develop in History? How will these be important in future careers?
- My Personal History.
- The Norman Conquest.
- How did the Normans extend their control?
- Why did the Normans invade Ireland?
- What was life like in Medieval times?
Our Year 9 students investigate the following topics:
- What were the significant events in Europe 1500-1700?
- What were the significant events in Ireland 1500-1900?
- What caused the Plantation of Ulster and what were the main consequences?
- How does the Battle of the Boyne still hold relevance today?
- What impact did the Famine have on society in Ireland?
- What is slavery? Does it still exist today?
- Why did a civil rights movement emerge in America?
- Civil Rights today.
In Year 10 students investigate significant events of the 20th Century.
- Why was the twentieth century so significant?
- Rise of Hitler.
- What was life like in Nazi Germany?
- How and why did the Holocaust happen?
- Why is it so important to study and remember the Holocaust?
- What were the causes of the partition of Ireland?
- How was Northern Ireland affected by 'The Troubles'?
GCSE
History is a very popular subject at GCSE.
The department follows the CCEA specification.
- In Year 11 students complete a World Study and a Local Study. The options studied are:
-Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945
-Changing Relations: Northern Ireland and its Neighbours, 1965-1998 - In Year 12 students complete an Outline Study on International Relations, 1945-2003.
- Unit 1 is completed in Year 11 and Unit 2 at the end of year 12.
A Level
History continues to be a popular option at A Level. The Department follows the CCEA specification.
A Level History is 100% examination based.
In Year 13 students study:
- Germany, 1919-1945
- Russia, 1914-1941
- Ireland under the Union, 1800-1900
- The Partition of Ireland, 1900-1925
Students also have the opportunity to visit Dublin in Year 14 to enhance their study of the course.
A biannual trip to Poland is offered to all Students in 6th form. This includes a visit to Auschwitz and the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor.
The History Department has enjoyed great success at GCSE and A Level, with results consistently being above the N.I. average. Many of our students have gone on to study History at undergraduate and post-graduate level.
