30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay TQ2 7DY
E: admin@tggsacademy.org
T: 01803 613215
Y7-11 Absence Line: 01803 653 750
30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay TQ2 7DY
E: admin@tggsacademy.org T: 01803 613215
Y7-11 Absence Line: 01803 653 750
Current Teaching Staff:
Mrs R North - Head of Department
Miss S Medhurst, Ms A Saunders
Curriculum Intent:
We aim to educate all our students in such a way that they develop a passion for History during their 7 years at Torquay Girls Grammar and become well rounded Historians. Our aim is to make a curriculum that is accessible to all and promote inclusivity. We will do this by studying aspects of British, European and World History. This will enable students to better understand the world in which they live.
We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. All of the courses that we have chosen in our Scheme of Work for all Key Stages, logically follow on from each other, building upon prior knowledge / historical chronology and historical skills to maximise learning for all students. As an essential part of developing as Historians, we teach students how to critically analyse and evaluate both primary source material and historical interpretations and subsequently to make support judgements on the validity of these sources. Students are taught how to structure pieces of extended writing, and formulate their ideas in a clear, logical and coherent manner, making and supporting analytical judgements. We encourage students in their wider reading and developing research skills to prepare them for their next educational step.
As well as this, each topic focuses on the following second order historical concepts:
As a Girls' school, we aim to teach in all year groups, the changing role of women in both politics and society throughout History. We raise awareness of Core British Values through studying different faiths, gender history, prejudice, culture and BLM movement. It is also important that students have a clear understanding of their local history and how this has impacted upon the wider historical context.
At the beginning of February, four Year 12 students went on a daytrip to Poland in order to visit Auschwitz. This trip is run as part of Lessons From Auschwitz – a programme run by the Holocaust Educational Trust that encourages students to learn about the Holocaust and consider its contemporary relevance in modern society.
Upon our arrival in Auschwitz, we were soon met by Rabbi Shaw, who introduced us to the Book of Names. This consisted of the names of every Jew who was murdered during the Holocaust. However, there are 1.8 million names that are unaccounted for, because they had no surviving loved ones to put their name in the book. In order to promote the individualisation of the victims, we were encouraged to look through the book and find a name to remember and continue their legacy.
Although we saw much of the camp, the rooms that consisted of the victims’ belongings are the ones that stand out most to me, particularly the room with the shoes. We were also incredibly fortunate that we were allowed to walk through the one surviving gas chamber at Auschwitz.
After, we visited Birkenau. It was a different experience from Auschwitz, as it had just been preserved rather than converted into a museum, and I believe that made it a more emotional experience as you can truly feel as though you are walking through history.
One of the things we saw were the living conditions for the prisoners. These were so confined and clearly fed into the Nazi idea of dehumanisation. Within the buildings, it was so cold, despite the fact that we were wearing several layers, which makes it difficult to imagine how frozen the prisoners would have been in the nights of Russian-style winters.
It is impossible to articulate the sheer enormity of Birkenau. When looking at the infamous entrance, the barbed wire stretched for as long as the eye could see. We managed to walk to the other end of the camp, but it would have been impossible to have seen everything.
To end the day, we met Rabbi Shaw again, who told us some stories of victims of the Holocaust, but also explored the contemporary relevance with antisemitism still prevalent in modern society. He then led a memorial service in which we lit candles in order to spread and share light.
Overall, the trip, although being an emotional day, was an educational experience that we all learnt a lot from. It also showed us the consequences that come as a result of hatred and prejudice and how we must strive to stop this happening again.
Subject Overview
The programme of study follows a chronological pattern starting with the Norman Conquest in Year 7 and progressing to the 1960s in Year 9. In Year 7 the main theme is Medieval England followed by the Tudors. In Year 8 the topics covered are Britain and the Monarchy from 1603 – 1837, The reign of Victoria, the British Empire and Slavery and in term three, The First World War. In Year 9 the students follow a course on 20th Century World History including the World War Two, Black Civil Rights in the USA, and the Suffragettes. We then begin the GCSE course studying the Reigns of Richard and John 1189-1216.
There are 3 core assessment pieces per year at Key Stage 3. Feedback sheets are given which include the mark scheme and written comments. Verbal feedback is given during lessons for each assessment. Students are given time develop their knowledge and skills in response to this feedback. Students can access all lessons on SharePoint where there are revision materials, lesson power points and links to videos.
SMSC
History contributes to our students SMSC development through:
SPIRITUAL:
MORAL:
SOCIAL:
Skills developed by group work, card sort, role play, presentations, extended projects, working together to create models, speed dating. Developing responsibilities through History Prefects in Years 10 and 12. Independent learning through extended reading (NEA & history book cupboard), ensuring all students listen to their peers
CULTURE:
British Values
We raise awareness of Core British Values through studying different faiths, gender history, prejudice, culture and BLM movement, the Holocaust. Politics, democracy and power of the Crown.
Reading
Book cupboards in all History rooms. Lots of History books in the library. History cupboard has textbooks for all year groups including NEA for sixth form. Reading exercises in lessons – guided reading sheets, word gaps, colour codes etc.
Oracy
Discussion, debate and open questioning in all lessons.
Careers
Extended writing skills, source evaluation and interpretations skills are all developed to enhance employability. Use of ICT and multimedia/technology used in lessons when appropriate Historic employment and workplace studied at varying points.
Year group | Developing knowledge of careers, labour market information and the world of work | Developing employability skills |
7 | Immediate use of evidence/sources/interpretations early in SOW. Tollund Man task investigating historical issues. ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment. |
Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
8 | Industrial Revolution and examination of changing work including child labour, women in the workforce etc. Experiences of work life in World War 1 (soldiers and home front). Morwellham Quay – looking at Victorian child labour but also insightful for other careers involved with History e.g. museum etc. ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment. | Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
9 | World War 2 Artefacts lesson getting students to examine evidence from the time periods, seeing what they can learn. Experiences of work life in WW2 (soldiers and home front). Experiences of historical workplace in the Middle Ages (Richard and John GCSE unit). ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment. | to examine evidence from the time periods, seeing what they can learn. Experiences of work life in WW2 (soldiers and home front). Experiences of historical workplace in the Middle Ages (Richard and John GCSE unit). ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
10 | Medicine through time, examines changing role of factors impacting jobs, including 20th century medicine opportunities. ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment. | Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
11 | Doctors show – History and theatre studies, experience of alternative career paths in History. Impact of historical events on employment and the workforce (e.g. hyperinflation and Great Depression) ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment. | Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
12 | History and Politics trip to Westminster. Ways with Words at Dartington. ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment NEA – independent research into historical issue, ultimate culmination in skills bult upon throughout history career. | Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
13 | ‘You’re the historian!’ tasks built on throughout SOW and examined through assessment NEA – independent research into historical issue, ultimate culmination in skills bult upon throughout history career. | Investigative skills, debate and discussion skills, sorting evidence into hierarchy of importance, analytical writing skills, formulating judgements, examining significance, develop a hypothesis and argue perspective in a logical and coherent manner – all transferrable skills. |
Further questions related to the delivery of CIEAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) within the department
Further Questions | Departmental Response |
Where do you source your labour market information?
|
Historical Association English Heritage National Trust Holocaust Educational Trust UCL Holocaust Education Teaching Education in Action These regularly update their websites with seminars/webinars which are made available to students, although they are not regularly scheduled. |
Do you use display notices / information about careers related to your subject area? If so, please give details. | History careers display prominent in entrance way to history department. Regular references to history careers throughout SOW. |
Do you, on a regular basis, engage in classroom discussions around potential career prospects with your students? | Yes, there are regular opportunities for students to develop these skills using investigation of sources in lessons 9currently adapting to be named ‘You are the historian’). Archaeology club gives another perspective for careers available with history. Film club discusses the importance of factual research and historical consultants, opening another door for careers within History. Options evenings and options talks delivered by RN. |
Do you have a focus on teaching the essential skills within a curriculum linked subject? How do you then link that skill to careers in that subject? | Yes, these are mapped out in the SOW. These are specifically mentioned when teaching certain aspects of the curriculum e.g. examining sources, examining interpretations of historical events. |
Do you invite visitors in from industry to speak to your students? If so, how do you source these visitors? | Archaeology Club – new January 2023. RN sources through Vantage Education. |
Do you plan visits to:
|
Morwellham Quay – looking at Victorian child labour but also insightful for other careers involved with History e.g. museum etc. Trip to London Houses of Parliament Berlin trip for 6th form – visiting political and historical focused places of employment, History lectures/webinars. Encounters with higher education with the NEA at A Level – encouraging them to use University of Exeter library, Ways with Words at Dartington. HET Lessons from Auschwitz programme. |
How much is your good practice shared around your department, or with other members of staff? | Regular discussions with members of the department. |
Character skills
SaS_Skills Posters_History.pdf (tggsacademy.org)
We support the school intent through a variety of teaching styles , assignments and activities using all of the methods listed : Leadership, Teamwork, Aiming High, Problem Solving, Speaking, Listening, Creativity and Staying Positive
As a Girls' school, we aim to teach at varying points about the changing role of women in both politics and society through History: ·
As a school within Torbay Devon we also include various aspects of Local History
As a Grammar school with able students, we encourage the following: