At Moorside High School, our History curriculum is ambitious, coherent, and designed to develop students’ historical understanding, critical thinking, and empathy from Year 7 through to Key Stage 4. We believe that studying history is essential for informed citizenship and personal development, and our programme is carefully sequenced to build knowledge, skills, and confidence over time. Students are encouraged to ask challenging questions, evaluate evidence, and construct balanced arguments, while exploring a diverse range of periods, societies, and perspectives.

In Year 7, students begin their historical journey by exploring the foundations of England and the wider world. They investigate how migration shaped early England, the impact of the Norman Conquest, and the evolution of power in medieval Europe. The curriculum then broadens to include global perspectives, with a study of powerful African kingdoms, before concluding with the religious transformation of the Tudor period and the opening up of the world through early exploration. Throughout Year 7, students develop a strong sense of diversity and tolerance, recognising how different identities, beliefs and experiences have shaped societies, and making links to local history and contemporary communities.

Year 8 deepens students’ understanding of change and continuity through periods of revolution, empire, and reform. The course examines the upheaval of the Three Kingdoms and the wider Age of Revolution, before exploring the profound impact of the slave trade and the British Empire. Students then study the social and political transformations of the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of political rights, and the causes and consequences of the First World War. This year group places particular emphasis on human rights, equality, and the responsibilities of citizenship, encouraging students to understand the historical roots of modern values and to develop empathy for different communities and experiences.

In Year 9, students move into the modern era, focusing on the ideological and geopolitical conflicts that shaped the twentieth century. They study the Russian Revolution, the transformation of 1920s America, and the failure of peace in Europe, before confronting the horrors of the Holocaust and the rise of totalitarian regimes. The year concludes with an in-depth exploration of the Cold War and the division of Berlin, followed by an evaluation of social progress in post-war Britain. These topics are taught with a clear focus on tolerance, democratic values, and the dangers of prejudice, while local history links help students to connect national events to their own communities.

At Key Stage 4, students progress to the Edexcel GCSE History course, which builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Key Stage 3. Students study Crime and Punishment in Britain, Elizabethan England, the Cold War, and Nazi Germany, engaging in rigorous historical enquiry, source analysis, and extended writing. This course challenges students to evaluate interpretations, understand change and continuity, and appreciate the complex causes and consequences of historical events.

Across all year groups, our History curriculum promotes a culture of curiosity, respect, and intellectual ambition, preparing students to become informed, reflective and responsible citizens.

Curriculum Overview – GCSE Citizenship

At Moorside High School, our GCSE Citizenship Studies course empowers KS4 students to become informed, active, and responsible citizens in a modern democratic society. The programme is designed to develop students’ knowledge of political systems, legal frameworks, and societal issues, while also nurturing the skills, confidence and values needed to participate effectively in civic life. Through a rigorous and engaging curriculum, students learn to think critically, debate responsibly, and take action on issues that matter to them and their communities.

The course is structured around three key themes that build progressively across the two-year GCSE programme. Students begin by exploring the foundations of democracy, government, and the rule of law, developing a clear understanding of how the UK political system functions and how citizens can engage with it. They then move on to examine the rights and responsibilities that underpin modern society, including the legal and human rights that protect individuals and communities. The final theme focuses on contemporary social and global issues, encouraging students to analyse challenges such as inequality, extremism, and environmental sustainability, and to consider how these issues can be addressed through civic action.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to apply their learning to real-world contexts, making meaningful connections between theory and everyday life. A key feature of the programme is the emphasis on active citizenship, including opportunities for students to participate in community projects, campaigns, and school-based initiatives. This approach ensures that students not only understand the principles of citizenship but also develop the confidence and skills to make a positive contribution to society.

AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies at Moorside High School also places strong emphasis on British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance. Students explore diverse perspectives and engage in respectful debate, learning to challenge prejudice and to understand the importance of inclusion in a multicultural society. By developing empathy, critical awareness, and a commitment to fairness, students leave the course prepared for life beyond school as active, informed and ethical citizens.

Curriculum Overview