About the History Department

Previous OFSTED inspections have highlighted the enjoyment and success of History at Northgate. “Pupils want to succeed” as they are delivered “a rich historical experience." History at Northgate is an interesting, relevant and exciting subject where pupils are challenged to achieve the highest possible standards through “warm, positive classroom relationships and a high expectation of good behaviour and academic success." By studying the past we believe it helps to understand our heritage, give meaning to the present and develop life skills of evidence evaluation and the ability to make informed and reasonable decisions.

History lessons at Northgate

Teaching techniques involve the extensive use of video, source work, role play and artefacts in addition to the use of modern, well organised and illustrated text books and library materials. Work can be presented in a variety of ways ranging from traditional book exercises through to posters, booklets, models, plays and debates. Allowance is made for different levels of ability in both the presentation and detail of work and individual ideas are encouraged. Amongst the skills we aim to develop are research, analysis and evaluation, good organisation, an ability to argue points of view and effective written and oral communication. Overall we hope to create a better understanding of the world we live in through examples from the past.

Lower School - Key Stage 3

Our syllabus aims to give a thorough coverage of British history while touching on other European and world themes. Historical skills are developed along with an understanding and analysis of the facts of history and many of these are revisited at GCSE level.

Year 7	Mediaeval Realms:
•	Britain 1066 to 1500
•	The Plains Indians of North America
Year 8	The Making of the United Kingdom:
•	Crowns, Parliaments and Peoples 1500-1750
•	Reformation and Counter-reformation in Europe
•	Britain 1750 - 1900: Industrial Revolution
•	The Slave Trade
Year 9	Britain 1750 - 1900:
	Empire
•	Britain and India
	Political change
•	Chartism
•	Extensions of the franchise
	World Study after 1900:
•	The Western Front in WW1
•	Rise of National Socialism in Germany
•	Churchill and WW2

GCSE History and beyond

Many pupils opt to study History for GCSE. The course taken is Modern World History which gives a valuable insight into the background to today’s world.

There are three main themes:

•	Britain 1905 - 1918
•	International relations 1918 - 1990
•	Depth Studies: Germany 1918 - 1945, Russia 1905 - 1941
Examination is by written papers and coursework.

In addition, our accelerated learning programme gives some pupils the chance to begin GCSE work during Year 9. This allows them the option of taking AS Critical Thinking in parallel with GCSE History in Years 10 and 11.

History is a popular subject at ‘A’ level and many pupils combine History with Government & Politics. Northgate staff have a strong commitment to History and Government & Politics teaching at the Dereham Sixth Form College and are proud of their record of good results.

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