History Department

The History Department at Salford City Academy is very popular and many pupils go on to take History at GCSE. Since the introduction of the course into the 6th form a number of pupils have also opted to take History at AS and A2.
Traditionally the pupils have been able to study the Tudors, the English Civil Wars and the French Revolution in Year 8, and in Year 9 delve into the Industrial Revolution, the First World War and the Second World War. However, with the introduction of a revised Key Stage 3 curriculum the pupils will now be studying thematic topics, including "How have the lives of the people of Britain changed over the last 1000 years?", "The Changing nature of War and War" and "The British Empire." This will enable pupils to build up a more detailed view of British History and its place within the history of the world, whilst gaining a better understanding of change and continuity across time, as well as the essential skills of causation and interpretation.

At GCSE the pupils follow a course delivered by the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Pupils will be expected to take three modular examinations and complete a controlled assessment piece. Pupils will take their first examination in June of Y10 (Crime, Punishment and Policing) and two further modules in June of Y11 (The changing role and status of women: 1900 to the present day and Germany in transition 1929 - 1947). The controlled assessment will change every year, with pupil studying either the First World War, or the Second World War depending on the cycle.
At AS pupils will either study Germany in Revolution 1848-1890, Weimar and Hitler's Germany 1919-1945 and Votes for Women, or The Black Death, Henry VII and the Wars of the Roses, and Henry VIII. Pupils will complete their examinations in January and June.

At A2 pupils will complete a module on America in the 1920s and the impact of the New Deal and a piece of Coursework on the impact of the Industrial Revolution on Britain. If pupils have studied the Medieval and Tudor modules they will study the period surrounding the English Civil Wars and will also complete the Coursework on the impact of the Industrial Revolution. All AS and A2 modules are through Edexcel.

The History department uses a wide range of teaching methods and strategies and all types of learners are catered for. Opportunities exist for both individual and group work, and good use is made of an extensive range of audio and visual resources, as well as Promethean ActiveExpression class voting tools. The department has regular access to a suite of computers and trolleys of lap-tops. Pupils also have an opportunity to make their own films and presentations.
In Year 9 pupils have the opportunity to go on an educational visit to the National Coal Mining and the National Railway Museum in York. In Year 10 pupils go on a visit to the Tower of London and the London Dungeons.
Plans are ongoing for a trip for a foreign trip for 6th form History students.

Pupils who study History have many career pathways and options open to them. Historians go into many fields, including journalism, teaching and law amongst others.

The History department has been awarded Lead Department status for Salford LEA.