History

History is the record of everything that has ever happened to anyone, everywhere, its never ending and forever changing”.

Our vision in the History department is simple.  Pupils enjoy all their lessons they see the purpose of why they learn different topics and empathise with how others have lived.  They will understand that those who are no longer with us are remembered by what we study in lessons and that History is all around us. We teach students that History isn’t something just written in a textbook, but that it was how the world once was and it effects how they live today. The curriculum  students study at Boldon is bespoke to their lives with many links to their local area which form discussion points for relatives at home.

The staff in the department love History have studied it at university and beyond and continue to find out about it in their spare time. They deliver their lessons with passion, enthusiasm and no two lessons are the same. They ensure that pupils are taught vital subject content which is relevant to their lives but also second order concepts and skills that will help them in the future and in other subjects such as essay writing and thinking analytically. The curriculum is planned in accordance with other subjects such as English, Geography and RE so pupils are deepening their knowledge of key areas. 

Pupils are given the opportunity to retrieve knowledge every lesson and debate key areas of the curriculum. All pupils are offered the same opportunities to thrive regardless of their background. Finally, we teach them that History goes beyond exams and it means so much more in the world. Pupils will leave each learning feeling like they have learnt how the world changed in some way.

Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10Year 11
Half Term 1

Introduction to History. Local history study: Impact of the Romans on the North East. The events of 1066.

The British Empire. The impact of slavery. A debate on “Was the British Empire good or not”

Communism in Russia, a study of revolution and the origins of communist Russia.

GCSE History: USA: Inequality and opportunity Part 3: 1950 – 1973

GCSE History: Health and the People, Norman England 1066 – 1100

Half Term 2

Life in Norman England. Introduction to Medieval England. Medieval towns, villages and jobs

The industrial revolution and economic change. Public health during the industrial revolution. Victorian crime and punishment

Threats to Capitalism, including a study of Mao’s China and the Vietnam war.

GCSE History: Conflict and Tension: Causes of World War One.

GCSE History: Norman England 1066 – 1100.

Half Term 3

Religion in Medieval England. The impact of the Black Death. The Peasants Revolt.

The sinking of the Titanic and a study of class in the early 20th century. The struggle for women’s suffrage in the early 20th century.

In depth study: 20th century America. 1920s,  Position of women, The boom.

GCSE History: Conflict and Tension: Causes of World War One.

GCSE History: Norman England 1066 – 1100.

Half Term 4

War of the Roses. The reign of Henry VII. In depth study of the reign of Henry VIII. Edward and Bloody Mary

Causes of World War One. Events and consequences of World War One. Life in 1920s Germany

In depth study 20th century America 1920s. Prohibition, Gangsters and Immigration.

GCSE History: Conflict and Tension Health and the People: 1000 – Modern day.

GCSE History: Norman England 1066 – 1100 Revision.

Half Term 5

The reign of Elizabeth I including marriage, religious change, the Spanish Armada, Mary Queen of Scots and a golden age.

Impact of the depression. Jarrow March. Why did Hitler come to power? Life in Nazi Germany.

In depth study: 20th century America, 1930s, Impact of the depression and Hoover.

GCSE History: Health and the people 1000 – Modern day

Revision and preparation for exams.

Half Term 6

James I and events in his reign. The English Civil War. The Great Fire of London and the Plague.

A depth study of Nazi Germany including the lives of women, young people and the holocaust.

In depth study: 20th century America, The New Deal and Impact of WW2.

GCSE History: Health and the people 1000 – Modern day

Revision and preparation for exams.


Year 7

Half Term 1

Introduction to History. Local history study: Impact of the Romans on the North East. The events of 1066.

Half Term 2

Life in Norman England. Introduction to Medieval England. Medieval towns, villages and jobs

Half Term 3

Religion in Medieval England. The impact of the Black Death. The Peasants Revolt.

Half Term 4

War of the Roses. The reign of Henry VII. In depth study of the reign of Henry VIII. Edward and Bloody Mary

Half Term 5

The reign of Elizabeth I including marriage, religious change, the Spanish Armada, Mary Queen of Scots and a golden age.

Half Term 6

James I and events in his reign. The English Civil War. The Great Fire of London and the Plague.


Year 8

Half Term 1

The British Empire. The impact of slavery. A debate on “Was the British Empire good or not”

Half Term 2

The industrial revolution and economic change. Public health during the industrial revolution. Victorian crime and punishment

Half Term 3

The sinking of the Titanic and a study of class in the early 20th century. The struggle for women’s suffrage in the early 20th century.

Half Term 4

Causes of World War One. Events and consequences of World War One. Life in 1920s Germany

Half Term 5

Impact of the depression. Jarrow March. Why did Hitler come to power? Life in Nazi Germany.

Half Term 6

A depth study of Nazi Germany including the lives of women, young people and the holocaust.


Year 9

Half Term 1

Communism in Russia, a study of revolution and the origins of communist Russia.

Half Term 2

Threats to Capitalism, including a study of Mao’s China and the Vietnam war.

Half Term 3

In depth study: 20th century America. 1920s,  Position of women, The boom.

Half Term 4

In depth study 20th century America 1920s. Prohibition, Gangsters and Immigration.

Half Term 5

In depth study: 20th century America, 1930s, Impact of the depression and Hoover.

Half Term 6

In depth study: 20th century America, The New Deal and Impact of WW2.


Year 10

Half Term 1

GCSE History: USA: Inequality and opportunity Part 3: 1950 – 1973

Half Term 2

GCSE History: Conflict and Tension: Causes of World War One.

Half Term 3

GCSE History: Conflict and Tension: Causes of World War One.

Half Term 4

GCSE History: Conflict and Tension Health and the People: 1000 – Modern day.

Half Term 5

GCSE History: Health and the people 1000 – Modern day

Half Term 6

GCSE History: Health and the people 1000 – Modern day


Year 11

Half Term 1

GCSE History: Health and the People, Norman England 1066 – 1100

Half Term 2

GCSE History: Norman England 1066 – 1100.

Half Term 3

GCSE History: Norman England 1066 – 1100.

Half Term 4

GCSE History: Norman England 1066 – 1100 Revision.

Half Term 5

Revision and preparation for exams.

Half Term 6

Revision and preparation for exams.