What will students study in History this year?
In Year 10, students will have two periods of History a week and will begin the year with a study of American history from 1919-1948. This is a topic that covers the economic boom of the 1920s, changes in American society and the period of prohibition and the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Students will then study the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and his attempts to rebuild the American economy through the First and Second New Deals. In the Spring Term, students will study International Relations from 1918-1975, focusing on two key periods: Conflict and Cooperation 1918-1939 and the Cold War 1945-1975.
In Year 11, students will have continue to have two periods of History a week and will cover the final two components of the GCSE course. This will include the study of Migration to Britain from c.1000 – c.2010 and a complementary module on the Impact of Empire on Britain from 1688 – c.1730 with a study of an Urban Environment.
What are the major assessments this year?
Students are assessed during the lesson using past paper questions. In addition, students in Year 10 will sit a past paper for their end of year examination at the start of the summer term. In Year 11 will sit a mock in November during Mock Week and an additional mock in class in the Spring Term.
What will the current performance grade be based on?
Until their end of year examination, current performance will be based on past exam papers completed either in class or for homework. The end of year examination result gives us a much better predictor of how they might do in the final GCSE and will be used as part of the evidence of their current performance on their written report in Year 11.
What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in the subject?
Your daughter should speak to her History teacher in the first instance and she may be offered additional support at lunchtime or additional reading to help her understand the topic. She may be paired with a 6th form Student Subject Leader who will be able to support her on a more individual basis having had the benefit of doing the GCSE exam already.
How can I support my daughter?
The best way to support your daughter is to talk to her about what she is studying in History and about how she is getting on. Students should be encouraged to complete homework in a quiet area of the home without the distractions of siblings, television or mobile phones/iPads. If students are directed to attend additional support sessions at lunchtime, you will be emailed the details and should encourage your daughter to attend these sessions.
What kind of independent work should my daughter be completing?
In Y10 and Y11 we encourage students to work more independently to prepare them for post-16 study. Students may be asked to research a topic for discussion in a lesson, or do some wider reading in preparation for answering a specific exam question. The best performing students are those who regularly review their class notes and chapters from their textbook and are therefore more likely to consolidate their historical knowledge and gain a deeper and more developed understanding of the past. With particular reference to the course in Year 10, regular contact with international news will help with understanding International Relations.
What is the departmental homework policy?
Students may be asked to complete unfinished classwork at home; all the lessons are available for students on SharePoint. All assessed work is completed in lessons so homework will be revision and preparation.
Who can I contact for further advice and information?
Please feel free to contact your child’s History teacher or the Head of History at nsmith@newsteadwood.co.uk, if you have any queries about your child’s progress.