Aims
The history department aims to help students develop a love of history so that they can enjoy their learning and have a meaningful understanding of their history. We aim to actively engage students in their study of history and to help all student's reach their full potential as active members of society who have a broad understanding of how the past has shaped our world. We hope that studying and fully engaging with the past will brighten the futures of our students. In history class students will develop a wide range of valuable skills. Our objectives are:
- To promote an interest in and enjoyment of History.
- To encourage pupils to question, to challenge and to think for themselves. To strive towards the goal of “Pupils as independent learners”.
- To provide students with opportunities to develop a multi-skilled approach to learning so that they can make a valuable contribution to the world of work
- To develop skills in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT
- To develop pupil’s knowledge of the impact of the European and global dimension on their lives
- To give pupils an understanding of the contemporary world by putting it in historical context
- To develop an understanding of the complicated relationship between political, social, economic and cultural aspects of society.
Pupils studying History at Saint Mary’s are taught using a variety of teaching strategies. Pupils find that these strategies enhance their understanding, stimulate curiosity, make learning exciting and fun.
Staff
- Miss N. Doherty (Head of History)
- Mrs K. Kealey ( Senior Teacher)
- Mrs C. Devlin ( Head of year)
- Miss M. Curran
- Miss R. Orr
KS3
Year 8 |
Unit 1 |
Myself - Personal History |
Unit 2 |
The Norman Conquest |
Unit 3 |
Norman Ireland |
Unit 4 |
Native Americans |
Year 9 |
Unit 5 |
Renaissance and Reformation |
Unit 6 |
Rivalry and Conflict |
Unit 7: |
The Plantation of Ulster |
Unit 8 : |
World War One |
Year 10 |
Unit 9: |
Weimar Germany |
Unit 10: |
Nazi Control and the Holocaust |
Unit 11: |
Union to Partition |
Unit 12: |
History of Women in the 20th Century |
Unit 13: |
The Media and History |
GCSE
History is a very popular choice at Saint Mary's and students have achieved great success and enjoy the courses studied. 2020's A' Level class achieved 100% grades A*-C.
GCSE History students at Saint Mary's study the CCEA History specification:
In unit 1 students study Germany 1933-1945. This involves the study of the growth of the Nazi state, the Holocaust and impact of World War Two. As well as this students will study Northern Ireland, 1965-1998. This unit covers significant events such as the civil rights movement, Bloody Sunday and the Good Friday Agreement. These topics are tested in a 2 hour exam which is worth 60% of the overall GCSE result.
-
-
In unit 2 students will study International Relations from 1945 until 2003. This is a very significant period of modern history. Students will cover events in the Cold War including the Berlin Wall, Korean and Vietnam Wars as well as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Students will also study the growth of terrorism; covering the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers as well as the Iraq war.
Post 16
Unit |
Option |
Length of exam |
Exam weighting |
AS 1: Historical Investigations and Historical Interpretations |
Option 5: Germany 1919-1945 |
1 hour 30 minutes |
20% |
|
AS 2: Conflict and Change inEurope |
Option 3: Challenge and Conflict in Ireland, 1823-1867 |
1 hour 30minutes |
20% |
|
A2 1: Change Over Time |
Option 3: International Relations 1848- 1945 |
1 hour |
20% |
|
A2 2:Historical Investigations and Interpretations |
Option 4: Partition of Ireland 1900-1925 |
2 hours and 30 minutes |
40% |
|
Examination Performance
We are very pleased with the success of our students at both GCSE and A’ level History and congratulate our students on their hard work and endeavour.
Summary of results for the 2019 exam series
LEVEL |
% A*-C |
A' level |
100% |
GCSE |
84 % |
|
|