Introduction:

At the St Lawrence Academy, it is our intent for the subject of History to instil in our students a curious social & cultural appreciation of the society in which they live, and the struggles that our ancestors have undertaken in order to create this society. Often topics will be contextualised so students gain an appreciation of their own multicultural heritage. Learning equips students with the knowledge and skills to interrogate source materials, to ask probing questions, debate and to enhance their individual oracy and literacy. History follows the National curriculum which allows us to deliver a spiral curriculum where social, economic, political and religious themes are explored.
As a Church of England Academy that embodies “living life in its fullest”, we frequently indulge students’ own cultural & historical curiosities. As students progress, their growing knowledge about their heritage and its contribution to society helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between races, cultures and those with differing political views; and shapes them to become modern citizens able to contribute effectively to the society in which they live. This includes giving our students an understanding of the development of the Christian ethos that our academy belongs to.

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” Marcus Garvey

KS3:

In Year 7, these themes are explored within Anglo-Saxon society & culture, the upheaval of the Norman Conquest, and the development of Norman & mediaeval society. Year 7 culminates with an extensive study of leadership over time, where four key features of leadership are examined. Examples of leaders include: Boudica; Caesar; Elizabeth I; Robert Owen; Mary Seacole; Adolf Hitler; Josef Stalin; Winston Churchill; Clement Attlee and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. For each, judgements are made as to their effectiveness and impact.
In Year 8, we begin with a study of the reformational changes of the Tudor monarchs, and how the now subtle differences between protestant and Catholic led to so much upheaval. We also conduct a study of Empires, including the Aztecs, the Spanish and the British in Africa and India, and look at the economic demand for nations to acquire empires. The British Empire is studied in a frank and open manner, questioning its positive and negative legacies. The year 8 course ends with the modern social and political consequences of the agricultural & Industrial Revolutions.
In Year 9, we study the social, economic & political impact on society of the two world wars, both during and after the conflicts. We also study Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, examining populist factors that contributed to his success. We finish the year by studying Black Civil Rights in the USA, a precursor to GCSE History, in which the concept of “separate but equal” is challenged.

KS4:

History follows the Eduqas GCSE History (9-1) specification. This is an exciting and relevant course that allows students to study two units in depth these being Austerity, Affluence and Discontent: “Britain 1951-1979”, which examines many of the social, political, economic and cultural developments that occurred in Britain at this time; and “The Voyages of Transition & Discovery and Conquest of the Americas, 1492-1522”, which examines how the Spanish utilised the Americas for their own economic gain.
These two courses are accompanied by two courses in breadth. These are “The Development of the USA 1929-2000”, which chronicles the social, political, economic & cultural changes in the USA at the time, and to some extent compliments the Austerity in Britain course; and “Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain c500 to the present day”, which examines the causes, nature, types of crime and punishments over time.
All courses present students with opportunities to interrogate source materials and are wherever possible contextualised. Part of the Crime and Punishment unit involves a study of Lincoln Gaol.
All lesson materials evidence extensive research by practitioners, and utilise a wide range of contemporary and modern source materials. Often audio-visual aids are used to bring certain aspects of history to life, and allow students to immerse themselves in the period as far as a classroom situation would allow.

Careers

History provides students with a diverse skillset that enables them to make social and cultural links to the topics studied, and equips students with the oracy and literacy skills that enable them to question and argue constructively and become free thinking inquisitive members of society. They have an awareness of positive and negative leadership examples that ensures they can learn from the mistakes of others and that hopefully mistakes are not repeated.
History is a perfect subject to study for anyone interested in careers in:

  • Teaching
  • Police
  • Armed forces
  • Civil Service
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Archaeologist
  • Archiving

A qualification in History is always highly valued. Most leaders of business and industry, together with future monarchs and many political figures, have a GCSE in History.