Aims:
In Year 9 we aim to inspire, challenge and move students with the dilemmas, choices and beliefs of people in the twentieth century. We encourage pupils to ask and answer questions of the present by engaging with the recent past.  They develop a chronological overview that enables them to make connections within and across different periods and societies.

As students develop their understanding of the twentieth century, they will continue to ask and answer important questions, evaluate evidence, identify and analyse different interpretations of the past.  Most importantly, they will build on their capacity to substantiate any arguments and judgements they make.

Content:
‘The twentieth century world’

• The First World War: including its causes, trench warfare, key battles, ‘shot at dawn’, remembrance, the Treaty of Versailles
• The Second World War: including its causes and Hitler’s beliefs, Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Blitz and rationing, evacuation, D Day, VE Day, the atomic bombs.
• The Holocaust
• Civil rights in Britain and America after 1950

Assessment:
Homework is issued once a week and should take approximately thirty minutes.  Furthermore, students complete three assessments, one in each term.  For each of these they are assigned a National Curriculum Level.  The first two assessments are conducted during lesson time, whereas the third assessment is the school examination in May.

Extra Curricular:
All students take part in a visit to the Imperial War Museum, Manchester, where they interact with exhibits and films within the museum.  Furthermore, students attend workshop in which they handle artefacts from the Second World War.

Useful Websites:
www.schoolhistory.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/history
www.schoolhistory.org.uk