History 

Introduction

The History Department at Rishworth aims to combine the acquisition of historical knowledge with the development of important skills such as comprehension, understanding, analysis, evaluation, empathy and research. These are skills needed and used by people on a daily basis in a whole range of different walks of life. Pupils are encouraged to engage with the subject by the emphasis on thinking and participating. The end aim is to develop pupils into fully aware and active citizens who are able to make balanced judgements and who are equipped with a sense of historical perspective. After all, if you don't know who you are and where you've come from, how can you decide where you're going?

History at Rishworth

The syllabus for Years 7 - 9 is based on the National Curriculum without being rigidly tied to it thus allowing for greater flexibility in terms of structure and content. During these first three years pupils will study the Romans, the Middle Ages, Tudors and Stuarts, the Industrial Revolution, Black Peoples of America and the 20th Century World.

GCSE History follows the OCR Modern World History course including such topics as the First World War, Hitler and Germany, the USA in the 1920s and 1930s and the causes of the Second World War.

The AS and A2 courses involve a study of key events in British, European and World history in the 19th and 20th centuries.  The course has units focusing on British, US, German and Russian history.  One module of the A2 specification is a coursework module.

Outside the classroom Years 7 - 9 have enjoyed a regular programme of visits organised by the Department. Year 7 visited Skipton Castle and Bolton Abbey as part of their study of the Middle Ages. Years 7 - 9 have enjoyed a regular programme of visits organised by the Department. Year 7 visited Skipton Castle and Bolton Abbey as part of their study of the Middle Ages.  Year 8 visited the Quarry Bank Museum at Styal where they saw examples of spinning and weaving machinery and learned about the working conditions in factories during the Industrial Revolution.

Other information

After Year 9, History is an optional subject and a popular choice for GCSE. A Level groups are usually small in number, to the advantage of the pupils concerned!