History
At Ellesmere Park High School, our history curriculum is designed to develop curious, critical, and informed young people who understand the complex ways in which the past shapes identities, societies, and the modern world. From Year 7 through to Year 11, students engage with a rich, enquiry-led curriculum that nurtures historical thinking and disciplinary skills alongside substantive knowledge, developing student’s ability to analyse, interpret, and debate historical ideas confidently and thoughtfully.
In Key Stage 3, students explore a broad range of significant periods and themes, including the waves of colonisation and invasion that shaped early England, the political and social upheavals of the English Civil War and its aftermath, the transformations brought by empire and industrialisation, and the cultural and economic changes in twentieth-century America alongside the impact of global conflicts such as World War One. Throughout, students develop a strong foundation in key historical concepts; causation, consequence, significance, change and continuity, and interpretation and refine their skills in source analysis, evaluation of differing viewpoints, and construction of evidence-based arguments. This approach encourages students to think like historians: to question, to weigh evidence, and to appreciate how history is constructed from multiple perspectives.
At Key Stage 4, students build on this foundation by studying the Edexcel GCSE History course, which deepens their knowledge and analytical skills through thematic and in-depth studies, including Medicine in Britain, Elizabethan England, the American West, and Weimar and Nazi Germany. This progression challenges students to make connections across time, explore the impact of individuals and ideas, and critically evaluate historical interpretations, preparing them for further academic study and active citizenship.
By the end of Year 11, students leave History with a well-rounded understanding of key historical events and developments, alongside a mature capacity to think critically about the past. They are equipped to engage thoughtfully with the complexities of history, recognising its relevance in understanding the present and shaping the future.
Our curriculum is underpinned by high expectations for literacy skills, vocabulary and oracy. Students are supported to develop both Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary so that they can articulate complex historical ideas fluently and with confidence. They take part in structured discussion and debate, build arguments and learn how to write with clarity and analytical depth. We want them to develop a secure understanding of first and second order concepts so they can challenge narratives, recognise diversity, and understand that history is constructed, contested and deeply relevant. Above all, we want our students to leave history with a sense of curiosity, critical awareness and the knowledge and skills to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.