History
History is a popular subject at The Woodroffe School. The department consists of five History specialists, each of whom has a real enthusiasm for their subject.
The History department at Woodroffe believes in engaging students in the study of the past through thought-provoking and rigorous enquiries. Woodroffe students experience a diverse history from pre-historic times to the present day.
History is a popular subject at The Woodroffe School. The department consists of five History specialists, each of whom has a real enthusiasm for their subject. The History department at Woodroffe believes in engaging students in the study of the past through thought-provoking and rigorous enquiries.
Woodroffe students experience a diverse history from pre-historic times to the present day, taking into account differing perspectives within England, Europe and beyond. Students will develop both their knowledge and conceptual understanding, for example being able to think critically about the significance of past events and individuals and analysing the causes of events.
Year 7
Students begin with a thematic study on water and health through time before moving on to study the Middle Ages, with topics including “How did William Conquer England?” and “What was the main threat to Medieval monarchs?”. They will compare life in Medieval England to Islamic civilisations, and also study the history of Lyme Regis by deciding which significant local figure deserves to have a statue in the town.
Year 8
In Year 8 pupils move on to the Early-Modern period, examining religious change under the Tudors and the causes of the English Civil War. Students take a more global perspective with studies on the Mughal emperors, empires, and India. They end the year by studying how effective peaceful protest has been in the 20th century.
Year 9
Year 9 begins with a study of migration to Britain through time, and then moves on to a more in-depth look at twentieth century events. Students study the causes of World War One, discuss who holds responsibility for the Holocaust and consider whether the usage of the atomic bomb in World War Two was justified. They continue to develop their skills as historians, working with evidence and analysing interpretations and consequences.
History
Many pupils choose to study History at GCSE. We follow the Edexcel History specification and are able to offer a varied course through which pupils gain an overview of a broad sweep of time, while zooming in on certain periods for more in-depth investigation. We offer modules in Medicine in Britain 1250 to the present day (with a special focus on The British sector of the Western Front), Anglo-Saxon and Norman England c.1060-88, Superpower relations and the Cold War 1941-91, and The USA 1954-75: conflict at home and abroad. This varied course sharpens pupil’s ability to think critically and analytically, but, more importantly, it’s fascinating.
Ancient History and Classical Civilisation
This is a two for the price of one course in which pupils complete a GCSE in Ancient History in Year 10 and a GCSE in Classical Civilisation in Year 11. We follow the OCR syllabus. In Ancient History pupils learn about the journeys of Alexander the Great, the loves of Cleopatra, Roman Myth and History and the Ancient Celts, while in Classical Civilisation pupils study Life in Pompeii and Rome, and the writings of Virgil and Ovid. This option is intense, but pupils who enjoy learning and are willing to work hard get a great deal out of it.
History
In History we follow the Edexcel History A level specification. Students study three examined modules: Tudor England from the accession of Henry VIII to the death of Elizabeth I, Luther’s challenge to the Catholic Church, and The British experience of warfare, c1790-1918. Students also carry out a historical investigation into an area of Nazi Germany.