History 

Overview of the History department

The History curriculum at Crayford Academy aims to inspire our students to become well rounded and passionate historians with both a love of the subject but also a passion for learning about the world around them. They will study a range of topics and perspectives and develop the ability to make balanced arguments by using a range of evidence to inform their judgements. Within our curriculum the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs are taught. We intend to provide our students with a broad and balanced range of knowledge that takes them beyond their own experiences, but also reflects the diversity and difference that exists within the school environment. In addition, the curriculum is designed to reflect the academy ethos of ‘Learning Changes Lives’, in that it will provide them with equal access to knowledge and a vehicle with which to address social disadvantage through the cultural capital it delivers, as well as also developing good character in our pupils. Through studying history students will understand how history forms our sense of identity and place in the world and through studying a range of historical periods both British and across the wider world they will become more open minded, empathetic and critical thinkers. They will develop the skill of questioning, extended writing, analysis and knowledge and their learning and development will serve as an excellent foundation for their future. We also endeavour to link History with understanding of historical knowledge in a variety of different ways including through watching documentaries, visiting museums and galleries, and trips.  

History is taught to all students within Years 7 to 9 and is an option at KS4 and KS5. The aim of this curriculum is to provide our students with powerful knowledge, a key driver in the curriculum across Crayford Academy, that will be purposefully selected by expert teachers, logically sequenced and cumulative in nature to ensure that students build on previous knowledge and skills learned throughout their studies. In addition, we teach students to be good historians, by learning through historical enquiries and grasping key historical concepts to develop a secure understanding of chronology and how Britain and the wider world has developed over time.

Meet the History teachers

Curriculum Statement

Key Stage 3

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum offers a broad and balanced range of knowledge to our students.   Our curriculum echoes the National Curriculum in that in provides chronological coherence, and deepens pupils understanding through a combination of overview and depth studies.  We give our students to a wider appreciation of the past, and the long arc of development of society.  We offer a unit on Women’s Suffrage to Year 8, which gives further opportunity for our students to study ideas about gender, democracy and politics. Additionally, we provide the opportunity to develop depth studies for each year group in which they can study a particular time period in detail, such as Conquest and Challenge in Medieval England during Year 7; Later Empire in Year 8 which reflects the background of our students by examining the impact of Empire in a range of geographical locations across the world; and the development of Dictatorships in Europe, which embeds the Holocaust into its historical context, for Year 9. 

View our Key Stage 3 History Curriculum Map 

Key Stage 4

Our Key Stage 4 Curriculum offers students an opportunity to gain an insight into some of the most significant time periods and events in British and World History. The opportunity to study these time periods will give students and deeper understanding into Britain and the World today. For example, through studying Early Elizabethan England students will get to see the beginning of the growing influence of colonisation. Likewise, students will get an understanding into the British legal system through Crime and Punishment through time. By studying Weimar and Nazi Germany students will look at the themes of democracy and dictatorship and how they have influenced the development of society. Further to this, students will also learn about the Cold War and Superpower relations and how modern society has developed and been affected by the development of the weapons and changing ideologies. By studying these events students will gain an insight into the issues of the past and thus an insight into the issues of today, ultimately making them better citizens.  

View our Key Stage 4 History Curriculum Map 

Key Stage 5

The KS5 history curriculum is designed to develop and extend students' knowledge and understanding of key events, periods and societies in British, and wider world history.

Through studying these events students who take history at KS5 will develop an awareness of why people, events and developments have been accorded historical significance and how and why different interpretations have been constructed about them. The students will also engage in historical enquiry to develop as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers. They will develop the ability to ask relevant questions about the past, to investigate issues critically and to make valid historical claims by using a range of sources in their historical context. By the end of the course they will be able to organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways and reach substantiated conclusions. 

View our KS5 History Curriculum Map

What qualifications can be gained?

• Students who take History at Key Stage 4 will gain a GCSE qualification
• Students who take History at Key Stage 5 will gain an A-Level qualification 

How does History prepare students for the next stage of their education or employment?

Key Stage 4 History provides students with a wide range of skills useful for either their next stage of education or future employment. These skills include the ability to assess sources of information to an extent that means they can make sound and supported judgements on it. This will also enable students to determine what information is useful to them and think critically about different situations. These skills make Key Stage 4 the ideal candidates to take on a range of subjects at Key Stage 5 including; Government and Politics, Philosophy, Sociology and many more.  Key Stage 5 History prepares students for the next stage of their education and employment by developing their interest in and enthusiasm for history and developing their understanding of its intrinsic value and significance, thus allowing them to go on and study it at university. However, it also means that students will acquire an understanding of different identities within society and an appreciation of aspects such as social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity which will be important and useful in all stages of their life whether in further study or in the workplace. In addition to this History improves students independent learning and as critical and reflective thinking skills which are highly desirable to employers. 

History can be a pathway into many careers including: 

• Law
• Politics
• Journalism
• Civil Service
• Business
• Marketing
• Economics Teaching
• Insurance 
• Archeology 

More Information

More information about our curriculum can be found by looking at our curriculum overviews