HISTORY YEAR 7

Knowledge Skills Big Idea Cross Curricular

Topic What will students know by the end of this unit? What skills will students have developed by the end What are the essential ideas which students could What links to other subjects / enrichment might be
of this unit? not leave school without? made?
Topic 1: History skills Understanding of chronology and its importance in Chronological understanding Understanding and appreciation of the practice of Link to later Year 7 topic
What makes a good history Practical (though basic) application of second order history The story of African migrants in Tudor England
historian? Key words to describe the past such as decade, concepts The racial diversity of the Mary Rose.
century, millennium, BC, AD. Link to Year 9 Geography
An introduction to second order concepts such as One Born Every Minute
significance, causation and interpretation Causation
Half Term 1 Change and continuity
Topic 2: Migration Patterns of migration to Britain through the centuries Empathy Knowledge and understanding of the different
study An understanding of a) what being ‘British’ really Source (content) analysis experiences of migrants in Britain
Who has come to means and b) the experiences of different migrants. Some extended writing An understanding of how migrants have changed
Britain and when? Special focus on the Empire Windrush generation: Ability to read and analyse (with direction) some Britain
Was migration a positive experience for those people extracts from historical scholarship, namely Black and Links between the history of migration to Britain and
who moved to Britain from the Caribbean? British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga. contemporary issues and current affairs.
Topic 3: The Norman The social and political landscape of England before Causation The importance of the Battle of Hastings as a turning Trip to Skipton Castle (during the summer term)
Conquest the Norman Conquest with a focus on Anglo-Saxon Source (provenance) evaluation point in British political history. Local history:
Did the Normans England Directed research skills a) Norman castles in the Manchester region, such as
bring a ‘truck-load of The reasons how and why William and the Normans Developed understanding of significance An understanding of the immediate and long-term Dunham Castle
Half Term 2
trouble’ to England?- conquered England Historical judgment impact of the Norman Conquest on England (and b) Local Domesday Book references
HA enquiry The methods used by William and the Normans to Historical scholarship The Norman Conquest by Mark more widely Britain) socially, culturally, politically, c) Altrincham medieval town charter
retain control in England Morris and economically with feudalism being a key,
The significance of the Norman Conquest significant example.
Topic 4-Medieval An understanding of the relationship between a) How and why historical interpretations differ Understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Link to later Key Stage 3 topics on the development of
kings Monarchy and the Church and b) Monarchy and the Extended writing, including independent judgements medieval monarch. democracy as follows:
Could medieval kings barons by focusing on the following short enquiry Basic, though chronologically accurate descriptive a) Changing role of parliament during the Tudor years
always do whatever questions: narratives of key events and/or developments The role and importance (both politically and socially) b) The English Civil War
they wanted? ‘Did an Archbishop destroy the reputation of a King?’ Importance and significance of religion, especially that of the Catholic Church, in c) Extension of the franchise in the nineteenth
How and why did the The story of Henry II and Thomas Becket AND Continued and developed use of historical the Middle Ages. century
power of kings begin Did King John change the monarchy or did the scholarship, focusing on The Black Death: An d) The campaign for women’s suffrage
to change? monarchy change King John? Intimate History by John Hatcher An understanding of how and why the relationship
The story of King John and the Magna Carta. between Church and State began to change in the
Half Terms
A series of special topic lessons as follows Middle Ages. The difficulties faced by medieval
3/4
a) Richard the Lionheart or Saladin the Great- monarchs in retaining authority.
Who was the hero?
b) Edward I and Edward II- The origins of parliamentary and democratic
Winning Wales and losing Scotland processes and demands in Britain.
References to Llywelyn the Last, William Wallace and
Robert the Bruce. An understanding of broader historical issues and
c) The impact of the Black Death topics such as the Crusades, the relationship between
d) The importance of the Peasants’ Revolt British countries and the role of the Medieval
e) How important were England’s medieval queens? monarch in promoting public health.
Topic 5: Meanwhile, Britain and the wider world in the Middle Ages Independent (though directed) reading An understanding of non-British and non-European Link to GCSE History
Elsewhere Was there a World Wide Web in the Middle Ages? Ability to select key points and evidence to make developments, events and turning points in the Health and the People
The wider world in The rise of Islam-what were the main features of the judgments Middle Ages, therefore supporting our commitment Link to Year 7 Geography
Half Term 5 the Middle Ages Islamic Golden Age? Tiger versus Dragon
Developed source analysis-understanding of content to promoting a diverse and inclusive curriculum.
Medieval China-why is China in 1300 such an exciting Historical comparison Understanding of the impact of Britain on the wider
place to land your time machine? Reinforcement of the importance of significance world and vice-versa.
Topic 6: The Early How did Henry VII establish the Tudor dynasty? Historical empathy The changing role of monarchy in the Early Modern Link to GCSE History
Modern Period The Renaissance and its impact on Tudor England How and why historical interpretations differ period. Elizabethan England
Did the Tudors Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation of the Ability to reach judgments about what makes The immediate and long-term significance of the Link to A-Level History
modernise the sixteenth century. The impact of these religious historical interpretations convincing Tudor dynasty such as the changing role of The Tudors 1485-1603
monarchy? changes in England, focusing on the Early Tudors Extended essay writing parliament and the establishment of the Church of Link to Year 8 Art
Special focus on Henry VIII- Ability to debate effectively using well-selected, England. The Renaissance
Half Term 6 Review of Year 7- a) Did he live up to his public image? accurate and substantial evidence The impact of the Renaissance on Britain and Europe Link to Year 7-8 Drama
The changing power b) Was he a ‘Renaissance Monarch?’ Continued and developed use of historical The declining influence of the Catholic Church in the The Tempest
of the monarch, How far was Elizabethan England a ‘Golden Age’? scholarship, focusing on Black Tudors: The Untold Early Modern period. Twelfth Night
1066-1603 Special topic-Black Tudors Story by Miranda Kaufmann The achievements and long-term impact of Link to Year 7 English
How did the power of The story of African migrants in Tudor England Elizabethan society. Introduction to Shakespeare's Histories
the monarch change? The racial diversity of the Mary Rose. Diversity and inclusion in the sixteenth century.
HISTORY YEAR 8
Knowledge Skills Big Idea Cross Curricular
Topic What will students know by the end of this unit? What skills will students have developed by the end of What are the essential ideas which students could not What links to other subjects / enrichment might be
this unit? leave school without? made?
Topic 1:Introduction An initial understanding of democratic developments An enhanced understanding of the concept of change An overview of the key turning points in the development Link to Year 7
to Year 8 from the 17th to the early 20th centuries and continuity in history together with an of democracy/changing role of monarchy in the United The changing power of the monarch, 1066-1603
Development of introduction to the role of factors in driving change Kingdom. How did the power of the monarch change?
democracy (e.g., government, war, individuals)
Analysis and evaluation of source utility and reliability The idea of the ‘Divine Rights of Kings’ and its impact on
Topic 2: James and Developed essay writing with complex vocabulary constitutional developments in the United Kingdom.
Key features of the reign of James I:
Half Term 1 the Gunpowder Plot a) When and how did he become King of England? and concepts together with more balanced/relative
Were the judgments An understanding of the origin and nature of conflict
b) His belief in the ‘Divine Right of Kings’
Gunpowder plotters between Church and State in the 17th century. The link
c) How democratic was James I?
framed? between James I, the Gunpowder Plot, and the
The Gunpowder Plot
development of democracy-changing balance of authority
(causes, events, consequences,
interpretations/historical debate) between monarchy and parliament.

Topic 3: The English The political, economic, and religious causes of the Causation and consequences An understanding of how the English Civil War divided Link to A-Level History
Civil War English Civil War Relative comparison and the formation of logical, society with links to contemporary British issues regarding The English Revolution
Causes, events, and Choosing sides in the English Civil War reasoned judgments Brexit.
immediate The main events of the English Civil War Ability to critically evaluate the relative merits of
consequences The reasons for parliamentary victory different contemporary sources The immediate and long-term significance of the English
Half Term 2 The trial and execution of Charles I An understanding of how and why historical Civil War in British political history.
Special historical debate lesson interpretations differ
Has history treated Charles I badly? The emergence of a Republic and the enhanced role of
Special National Archives investigation lesson parliament.
Women in the English Civil War. What role did women
play? How did conflict affect their lives?

Topic 4: The Life in England under Oliver Cromwell Historical debate based on developed and wide-ranging Controversies surrounding Oliver Cromwell as Lord Local history
Protectorate and Cromwellian England-A positive step towards historical interpretations Protector. Oliver Cromwell statue in Wythenshawe Park
beyond democracy or ‘a world turned upside down’? An awareness of how and why interpretations change An understanding of how the relationship between Link to A-Level History
How did the English Special topic over time. monarchy and parliament evolved during the 17th The English Revolution
Half Terms 3/4 Civil War era change Cromwellian Christmas Significance Understanding of the English Civil War, the Restoration and
England? Charles II and the Restoration of 1660 Importance the Glorious Revolution as turning points on the road to
What was ‘glorious’ about the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of Change and continuity democracy.
1688? Was the ‘Glorious Revolution’ inevitable?
Topic 5: Meanwhile Who was the greatest Mughal emperor? Historical empathy Knowledge and understanding of how the Mughal Empire Year 7 Art
elsewhere Why is Akbar known as ‘Akbar the Great’? Source analysis and evaluation was governed and to compare this with European Indian Art and Culture
The rise and fall of Comparison of Akbar the Great and Elizabeth I. (content and provenance) monarchies, especially that of Elizabeth I. Link to Year 7 Geography
Mughal Empire 1526 The decline of the Mughal Empire. Historical enquiry and investigation, leading to a reasoned To understand the origins of British involvement in India. Tiger versus Dragon
to 1857 British expansion in India inc. the 1857 Indian Mutiny. and logical judgement To understand how and why the British Empire, especially Link to Year 9 Geography
Life in West Africa before the transatlantic slave trade Ability to support and explain interpretations with in India, has been interpreted differently by historians. Into Africa
What were 16th century West African kingdoms like? accurate and well-selected supporting evidence An understanding of the role of Britain in the slave trade, Link to Year 9 History
Half Term 5 Topic 6: The Slave Trade legacy: resistance, abolition and beyond Historical scholarship Empireland by Santhnam Sanghera linking to the British Empire and industrial expansion. The contribution of British Empire troops in the First
transatlantic slave What does the Bussa’s Rebellion tell us about slave Knowledge and understanding of African society, culture, World War
trade rebellions? and governance before the slave trade. The decline of the British Empire in the twentieth
Origins, reality, Historical enquiry: Thomas Clarkson and William Balanced understanding of the origins, reality, and century
resistance, abolition, Wilberforce as anti-slavery activists. experiences of those involved in and/or impacted by the Trip to the International Slavery Museum
and legacy The British Empire: A source of national pride or national British Empire. Link to Year 8 Music
shame? Music from the North Indian Classical tradition
Should these statues be removed?
Topic 7: Local How does 19th century (1800s) Manchester link to our Chronological understanding of local events of historical The importance of local history Trip to the Peoples’ History Museum in Manchester
history study earlier study of the transatlantic slave trade? importance. The ability to link these to wider British The role and importance of Manchester in the Industrial Link to Year 7 Dance
Manchester in the Would moving to Manchester in 1850 have been a history developments. Revolution. Manchester (cotton mills in Manchester, Quarry Bank
‘Age of Revolution change for the better? Historical empathy. The importance of the Industrial Revolution as a political, Mill, the Bee symbol and its significance)
and Reform’ (c1750- Why was Quarry Bank Mill so successful? Interpretation. economic, and social turning-point in British history. Link to Year 8 Design Technology
Half Term 6
1900) How should we remember the Peterloo Massacre? Source analysis and evaluation. An understanding of working conditions and the resulting Textile banners (Peoples’ History Museum)
How did the franchise grow in the nineteenth century? Significance. factory reforms of the 19th century. Link to Year 7 Drama Match Girls
Review of Year 8- Change and continuity. An understanding of how, why, and when the franchise was Year 7 English Manchester over time
How and why did Britain become more democratic from Historical comparison. extended in the nineteenth century. Year 9 Geography From Cotton to Culture
1600-1900?
HISTORY YEAR 9
Knowledge Skills Big Idea Cross Curricular
Topic What will students know by the end of this unit? What skills will students have developed by the end What are the essential ideas which students could What links to other subjects / enrichment might be
of this unit? not leave school without? made?
Topic 1: The Women’s rights in the nineteenth century. Relative comparison of different causes, leading to The main developments and the relative role of key Year 9 Citizenship
campaign for Differences between the NUWSS and the WSPU logical conclusions personalities in the campaign for women’s suffrage. Political ideologies
women’s suffrage The role and importance of several key individuals: Source utility and reliability-developed identification The importance of exercising the right to vote. Comparative Politics
‘How important was a) Lydia Becker (a local suffragist) of bias, exaggeration, and purpose The link between the women’s suffrage movement
Emmeline Pankhurst b) Millicent Fawcett of the NUWSS Comparison of key events, people, and developments and Manchester e.g., Lydia Becker and the Pankhurst Horrible Histories Club local history project
in the women’s c) The Pankhurst family (another local history link) and the ability to identify and explain similarities and family. ‘The Mancs that made Manchester’
Half Term 1 suffrage movement?’ d) Emily Davison and the Epsom Derby of 1913. differences
The importance of the First World War in the The ability to identify, explain, relatively compare and Link to A-Level History NEA topic
*continuation of local campaign for women’s suffrage form judgments about factors that drive political
history (Manchester) Historical interpretations- change.
links How and why do historians disagree about the Historical literature
women’s suffrage movement? Historical scholarship Death in Ten Minutes by Fern
Riddell
Topic 2: The causes of The First World War in context- Independent research An insight into why Britain has been involved in so Local history
the First World War Why has Britain been involved in so many conflicts Causation many conflicts over the last 100 years a) Dunham Massey as a First World War military
Was Max Hastings over the last 100 years? Complex historical narratives An understanding of the complex way in which the museum
right to blame Causes of the First World War: Essay writing involving the analysis of complex First World War started b) Chapel Street in Altrincham-‘The bravest little
Germany for the First a) Great Power rivalry and the Alliance System concepts An understanding of how British foreign policy street in England’
World War? b) The assassination of Franz Ferdinand Analysis of British wartime propaganda changed in the early twentieth century Trip to the Imperial War Museum
c) The Schlieffen Plan The changing nature of warfare in the early twentieth Trip to the First World War battlefields
Half Term 2 century Western Front Association competitions:
Topic 3: The impact Why was Chapel Street in Altrincham known as ‘The Attitudes to war before, during and after the First a) Animals at War
of the First World bravest little street in England’? (Local history link) World War b) The First World War in your local area
War Recruitment, conscription, and conscientious To understand how the First World War shaped the
How would you have objection twentieth century
marked the 100th Why did soldiers carry on fighting in the trenches? To understanding the social, economic, political, and
anniversary of the Special topic cultural impact of the First World War.
First World War? Christmas Truce of 1914
Special First World The contribution of British Empire troops to the war Historical empathy The experience of the First World War on the British Link to GCSE History
War topics effort Source analysis and historical interpretation Home Front Conflict and tension 1918-1939
Empire troops Civilians’ lives on the Home Front Careful selection of sources to support an The involvement and experience of Empire troops
The Home Front Does the negative impact of the First World War independent judgement during the First World War
Impact of the First outweigh the positive impact? Significance of key events and individuals The failed attempt at peace at the end of the First
World War Causation World War
Half Term 3 Significance The link between the Treaty of Versailles, the League
Topic 4: The Treaty of Aims of the Big Three at the Paris Peace Conference Analysis of political cartoons and propaganda of Nations, and the outbreak of the Second World
Versailles and The terms of the Treaty of Versailles- Historical scholarship Empireland by Sathnam War
beyond Who was most and least happy of the Big Three? Sanghera Understanding of concepts such as 'appeasement'
Did the ‘peacemakers’ German reaction to the Treaty of Versailles 'collective security' 'reparations' and 'self-interest'
succeed in preventing The successes and failures of the League of Nations
war?
Special topic: Workers of the world, unite! Historical debate e.g., was appeasement the right The impact of the rise of extreme political ideologies Year 9 Citizenship
How did new ideas The rise and ‘threat’ of communism policy? in the twentieth century and their links to both the Political ideologies
cause conflict? How did fascist ideas help to cause conflict? Analysis of political cartoons and propaganda Second World War and the Cold War Comparative Politics-the Russian political system
Special ‘Meanwhile, back in Britain’ topic Wartime chronological understanding An awareness of the impact of fascism in Britain
Was the Battle of Cable Street really a turning point in Historical interpretation Different interpretations about the outbreak of the Link to GCSE History
the fight against British fascism? Ability to support and explain interpretations with Second World War, including those concerning Conflict and tension 1918-1939
accurate and well-selected supporting evidence appeasement and the nature of Winston Churchill’s
Half Term 4
Continuation of Topic Causes of the Second World War- leadership Link to A-Level History
4: The Treaty of a) Hitler’s foreign policy Tsarist and communist Russia
Versailles and b) The British policy of appeasement
beyond Special topic
The main events of the Second World War
How did the Allied forces secure victory?
HISTORY YEAR 9 (continued)
Knowledge Skills Big Idea Cross Curricular
Topic What will students know by the end of this unit? What skills will students have developed by the end What are the essential ideas which students could What links to other subjects / enrichment might be
of this unit? not leave school without? made?
Topic 5-The How did anti-Semitism change over time? Historical empathy The origins, history, and development of anti- Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative event at
Holocaust A straight or twisted path? Historical significance Semitism either Sale Waterside or Chester Cathedral
How did the Was the Holocaust inevitable in 1933? Causation Experiences of Jews in Europe before, during and
Holocaust happen What would you include in a memorial to Jewish Change and continuity after the Holocaust Local history
and in what ways was resistance? Analysis of contemporary accounts and personal Links between the Holocaust and Nazi ideology e.g., Jodrell Bank observatory
it resisted? stories e.g., London during the Blitz Aryan supremacy.
Historical interpretation and debate Link to GCSE History
Topic 6: The impact Was the evacuation of Dunkirk a miracle? Complex understanding of the views of different Key Second World War events and developments, Germany 1890-1945
of the Second World The civilians’ story: Air attack during the Second historians linking to the idea of wartime resilience Democracy and dictatorship
Half Term 5
War on soldiers and World War Debates surrounding the American use of the atomic
civilians (London and Dresden) bomb in 1945 Link to Year 9 Computing
Dunkirk, the Blitz and Hiroshima-did science accelerate the end of the war An understanding of the consequences of Hiroshima, Cybersecurity-reference to WWII and Alan Turing
Hiroshima or merely change the nature of war? namely the Cold War conflict between the USA and
the Soviet Union Link to Year 7 Dance
History of the bombing of Guernica

Link to Year 7 Drama

Lillies on the Land
Topic 7: The decline Had the British lost the right to govern India in 1947? Historical empathy Knowledge and understanding of how and why the Link to Year 8
of the British Empire Why was India partitioned and how did this shape the Change and continuity British Empire declined The British Empire in India
in the twentieth world we live today? Causation, significance, and importance Complex understanding of differing interpretations of British involvement in the slave trade
century Why did Kenya become so violent on its journey to Historical Interpretation Empire
Did the British Empire independence? Historical comparison and judgement, especially
‘jump’ or was it comparison of key people, events, and developments
‘pushed’? The link between historical events and contemporary
issues
Topic 8: The Civil What can Jesse Owens’ story tell us about how black Knowledge and understanding of the origins of racism Link to A Level History
Rights Movement in Americans were treated in the 1930s? in the United States. The American Dream reality and illusion 1945-1989
Half Term 6
America (and Britain) How typical were the experiences of Jesse Owens? An understanding of the experiences of African
How successful were How important was the role played by Martin Luther Americans before, during and after the civil rights Link to Year 7, 8 and 9 Dance
the Civil Rights King in the Civil Rights Movement? movement of the 1950s and 1960s. History of African Americans in New York
Movements of the What helped the struggle for equal rights in Britain Understanding of the links between the civil rights 1930s America
twentieth century? after 1960? (with a focus on women. BAME, LGBT and movement, the Black Power movement, and Black Black Lives Matter
disabled people) Lives Matter.
Understanding of wider civil rights issues and
Review of Year 9- developments in Britain e.g., BAME, LGBT and
Was the story of the twentieth century simply one of disabled people.
things getting better?