History
Thirds (Year 7)
In the Third Form we study Medieval history. Beginning with ‘1066 and All That’, we cover all the major events – the murder of Thomas Becket, ‘Bad’ King John of Robin Hood fame, Richard the Lionheart and the Crusades, The Peasants’ Revolt and the Black Death. We also look at what life was like for peasants, town dwellers, monks and nuns, consider why religion was so important to people’s lives, and look at how law and order was maintained. In the summer term we visit Warwick Castle and the students produce a project on a castle of their choice.
Shells (Year 8)
In the Shell Form we cover the Tudors, Stuarts and Victorians. Beginning with the establishment of the Tudor dynasty by Henry VII, we look at the momentous religious changes which took place resulting in England becoming a Protestant country. We then look at the Gunpowder Plot, Charles I and the Civil War, and consider whether Oliver Cromwell was a hero or a villain. The Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666 complete the first half of the course. Then we look at the Victorian era – how the industrial revolution transformed Britain into the most powerful country in the world. In the summer term we visit the Black Country Museum to see Britain’s industrial past at work.
Fourths (Year 9)
In the Fourth Form we cover 20th century history. Beginning with the origins of World War I, we look at ‘the War to End All Wars’ and how it was fought – does Blackadder give a true representation of life in the trenches? We then look at why it wasn’t the ‘War to End All Wars’ – the rise of Hitler in Germany and why nothing was done to stop him. Finally we look at the Second World War – Blitzkrieg, the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbour, Stalingrad, D-Day and the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Japan. In the summer term we visit RAF Duxford and the students complete a project on an aspect of the Second World War.