Curriculum and Assessment

Autumn

The influence of the church

How did the church spread its influence through the crusades?

What does Thomas Becket’s life and death tell us about the power of the Church?

Developing the skills of:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Chronological understanding
• Significance

The Renaissance

What was the Renaissance and why was it so important?

How did religion and the church change in Europe after the Renaissance?

Developing the skills of:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Chronological understanding
• Change and continuity
• Significance

Spring

The changing power of Parliament and the King

What was Parliament’s role in the Middle Ages?

Why did Parliament go to war with the King?

How much did the Civil War change who had power?

Developing the skills of:

• Knowledge and understanding.
• Chronological understanding.
• Change and continuity

Gaining the vote

What were the problems with democracy in the early 1800s?

How did more men gain the right to vote?

How did women gain the right to vote?

Developing the skills of:

• Knowledge and understanding.
• Cause and consequence

Summer

The British Empire 

Why was the British Empire and what influence did it have on the world?

Were the British right to be proud of their empire?

Developing the skills of:

• Knowledge and understanding.
• Change and continuity
• Source analysis

The Slave Trade

What was Africa like before the trans-Atlantic slave trade?

What was the triangular trade?

 What was life like as an enslaved person?

What factors led to the abolition of the slave trade?

Developing the skills of:

• Knowledge and understanding.
• Change and continuity
• Source analysis

Autumn

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT 1

• The influence of the church
• The Renaissance
• 45 minutes

Spring

Summer

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT 2

• The influence of the church
• The Renaissance
• The changing power of Parliament and the King
• Gaining the vote
• The British Empire
• 45 minutes

• There are various documentaries that can be watched online. http://www.timelines.tv/ has a number of relevant clips that link to the year 8 curriculum and broader historical events and periods.  For a more challenging look at events and periods there is the Crash Course series on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=4
• Keep an eye out for historical documentaries on TV. These can be watched to support what is being learnt or to peak interest in other areas of history
• Read history books. The ‘Horrible Histories’ series gives an interesting insight in to different periods.  There are many history books covering various aspects of History, but historical fictions books can be enjoyed to give a sense of historical context.  One good example is Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper, about a girl stolen into slavery
• In preparation for assessments, knowledge organisers can be used as a basis for helping to learn key dates, names and key words