History & Politics
Welcome to History
The history department would like to remind you of the words of Martin Luther King ‘we are not made by history we are the makers of history’. We will teach you that history is much more than the past and is in fact key to so much of what is happening in the world and in our community today. History is also the future. Martin Luther King’s father was influenced by the German preacher Martin Luther, King Jr was himself influenced by Ghandi’s non-violent protest in India. Hopefully, you will be influenced in your future life by the great men and women within history and by our teaching of them.
Email the department: fearonj@uptonthigh.co.uk
History Curriculum
Intent
We believe all students are entitled to a high quality and challenging curriculum. Our aim is to develop students’ curiosity about the past through exposing them to a wide range of Local, British, European and World History so students can engage with stories of the past in order to develop a personal connection with History. We study History at Upton High School for the intrinsic satisfaction that can be derived from acquiring knowledge and a deep understanding of the past, but also to provide a greater insight into the modern world and how past events have influenced the current state of affairs. This will help our students to develop a strong appreciation of the significance of History to their own lives and the world around them on a personal, national and also international level.
The big theme of our curriculum at Upton is the understanding of the role of power throughout History. This runs throughout the narrative from Key Stage 3 to A Level. This allows students to understand and study a range of critical factors and second order concepts. The History department believes and understanding of power lies at the centre of most social, political, economic, religious and military issues and therefore will allow students to confidently engage with the world around them as well. The maintenance of a key theme allows students to experience a cognitive pathway in which both teachers and students can evaluate their progress over time.
Outside of the classroom, regardless of curriculum choice we offer a number of opportunities to further the cultural capital of students:
- Debate club, running for multiple years and up to sixth form and involving inter-school competitions when possible.
- Holocaust webcast for all Year 9, with this in person whenever possible.
- Assemblies
- November – Impact of War
- January – Holocaust Memorial day
- Summer Term – Diverse Histories, e.g. Women’s history month.
- Opportunities for extracurricular visits (Battlefield trip), Berlin trip although COVID has impacted on this.
- Clear and constant communication home. Newsletters to parents, these will outline what the students have covered and what questions will prove interesting for discussion. It also includes examples of literature students can read to support and deepen their learning of the course. This will broaden the curriculum through intersectionality when possible e.g. Unwell women looks at the lack of medical care for women. This document also includes ideas of physical or remote trips which could be taken connected to the unit. This opens channels or communication and cultural opportunities.
- Special and topical documents are provided by the department, e.g. reading guides including tv, music, podcasts and literature have been provided for Black History, disabled history and LGBTQ+ history this year.
- Within schemes a number of techniques are used to both deepen and broaden understanding this includes, Meanwhile elsewhere, Guided reading and the use of key historians and texts within lessons. The department has tried to ensure a broad focus on the curriculum within its curriculum choices and schemes.
Key Stage 3
Learners are taught a wide range of history units across over a thousand years of history, providing a thorough understanding of monarchies, rebellions, conquests, cultures, heroes, and villains.
Further details: Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Learners follow the Edexcel History GCSE Specification, the units at KS3 intend to build an understanding from which they can build on throughout the two year GCSE course. The course includes a mixture of British and World history units. The course is assessed in three final exams.
Further details: Key Stage 4
Key Stage 5
Learners follow the AQA History A Level Specification, building on knowledge and understanding from KS3 and KS4. The course takes learners to the frozen gulags of Stalin’s Russia the perfumed courts of Tudor England and the sweltering injustice of Birmingham. There are 2 critical exams and one non-examined assessment.
Further details: Key Stage 5
Enrichment
There are many opportunities for learners to engage in history beyond the classroom. These happen at different times of the year as we are a small staff who also offer a lot of exam support.
- Debate club and competitions.
- Holocaust research club.
- History reading club.
Department Staff & Responsibilities
- Mr J. Fearon - Head of Department
- Miss K. Main - 2nd in Department
- Mr A. Petty
- Mr C. Doherty
- Miss O. Goss
Homework
- Key Stage 3 approximately- 1 x 20 minute piece per fortnight
- Key Stage 4 approximately - 1 x 20 minute piece per fortnight
- Key Stage 5 - Regular reading and past paper questions. NEA Completion.
Feedback
The History department follows the whole school feedback policy. Feedback is regularly given in lessons during retrieval practice and questioning. Written feedback is provided for specific pieces of work and assessments.
Assessment
- Key Stage 3 assessment will be based on units studied by End of unit assessments, mid-year and end of year assessments.
- Key Stage 4 assessment will be based on AQA past paper questions and follow the assessment calendar.
- Key Stage 5 assessment will be based on Edexcel past paper questions and follow the assessment calendar.
2023-2024 Upton by Chester Assessment Schedule
Politics Curriculum
Intent
We believe all students are entitled to a high quality and challenging curriculum. Our aim is to develop students’ understanding of the political processes so they understand how they can interact with politics as active citizens. To build an understanding of government powers in a way which supports core principles of society such as democrats. Ideological elements of the course allow students to reflect on their own drivers and behaviours. The A level politics course is one of the most broad, challenging and intellectually synoptic A Levels. As a result the delivery of the specification will ensure an intellectually diverse and high quality diet of learning. We study Politics at Upton High School for the intrinsic satisfaction that can be derived from acquiring knowledge and a deep understanding of the past, but also to provide a greater insight into the modern world and how past events have influenced the current state of affairs. This will help our students to develop a strong appreciation of the significance of History to their own lives and the world around them on a personal, national and also international level. The course chooses to engage with US instead of Global Politics to some degree this helps to allow a more specific knowledge pathway and avoid repetition of knowledge. The study of politics is distinct from the history department as this is not connected within our requirements however there is a continuity on the consideration of power as the shaping and use of power is essential to politics. The course offers opportunity for extended writing and studies with philosophy, religion, economics and race all playing a significant role.
Outside of the classroom, regardless of curriculum choice we offer a number of opportunities to further the cultural capital of students:
- Debate club, running for multiple years and up to sixth form and involving inter-school competitions when possible, sixth-form politics students are encouraged to play a role in leading this.
- Invitations given to political figures to speak to the students in recent years this has included, lords, MP’s, political strategists and journalists.
- Clear and constant communication home. Newsletters to parents, these will outline what the students have covered and what questions will prove interesting for discussion. It also includes examples of literature students can read to support and deepen their learning of the course. This will broaden the curriculum which has limited time to deliver a great deal of content.
- Topical documents are provided by the department, this might include extracts from magazines such as the economist.
- Materials to reduce the gap between students are consistently highlighted and shared by the department the summer work asks students to read a political text and there is a reading corner and lending library replete with a broad range of political texts in order to support students.
A Level Politics EDEXCEL
Component 1: UK Politics (*Component code: 9PL0/01)
Written examination: 2 hours
33?% of the qualification
84 marks
Content overview:
1. Political Participation, students will study:
democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.
2. Core Political Ideas, students will study:
- conservatism, liberalism, socialism.
Assessment overview:
Section A: Political Participation
One 30-mark question from a choice of two (each question uses a source) – students must complete one of these. Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these.
All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Section B: Core Political Ideas
One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Component 2: UK Government (*Component code: 9PL0/02)
Written examination: 2 hours
33?% of the qualification
84 marks
Content overview 1. UK Government, students will study: the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.
2. Non-core political ideas, students will study: feminism.
Assessment overview Section A: UK Government
- One 30-mark question from a choice of two (each question uses a source) – students must complete one of these. Plus one 30-mark question from a choice of two – students must complete one of these.
- All questions assess AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Section B: Non-core Political Ideas
- One 24-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3.
Component 3: Comparative Politics (*Component code: 9PL0/3A)
Written examination: 2 hours
33?% of the qualification 84 marks
Content overview, students will study:
- the US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation, comparative theories.
Assessment overview for 3A
Section A
- One 12-mark question from a choice of two, which assesses AO1 and AO2.
Section B
- One compulsory 12-mark question focused on comparative theories, which assesses AO1 and AO2.
Section C
- Two 30-mark questions from a choice of three, which assess AO1, AO2 and AO3.
