The History curriculum at Monkton Wood Academy aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the past, enabling them to answer the profound question: “Who are we?” The subject is taught in a way that fosters critical thinking and encourages students to engage with different historical narratives. Through the study of various time periods and themes, students develop skills such as causation, consequence, using evidence, interpretations, significance, and similarity and difference.
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad, ambitious and coherent understanding of the past, helping them to see how power, belief and conflict have shaped the modern world. Through carefully sequenced enquiries, students develop both substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills, enabling them to think critically, analyse evidence and evaluate historical interpretations.
Year 7
Students begin with the Norman Conquest, establishing foundational knowledge about power, control and change that underpins later study. They then explore medieval life, including the Black Death, to understand how societies respond to crisis and continuity over time. A comparative study of the Islamic World broadens students’ cultural capital and challenges Eurocentric assumptions. This is followed by the Reformation, where students examine how religion and authority reshape society. The year concludes with African Kingdoms, ensuring a diverse and inclusive curriculum that develops a wider global understanding.
Year 8
Students build on this foundation by exploring how Britain developed as a global power. They begin with migration to Britain, enabling them to understand long-term patterns of movement and identity. This leads into the transatlantic slave trade, where students engage with its causes, consequences and human impact. Students then examine the British Empire, considering both its development and its legacy. The year concludes with the growth of democracy (1819–1928), allowing students to understand how political power has evolved and become more representative over time.
Year 9
Students apply their knowledge to the modern world, beginning with competing interpretations of the First World War, developing their ability to evaluate historical arguments. They then study Nazi Germany, examining how dictatorship and control affected everyday life. This is followed by an in-depth enquiry into the Holocaust, where students develop a secure and sensitive understanding of causation and consequence while challenging misconceptions. The curriculum concludes with the 1960s, exploring social and cultural change and its continued relevance today.
Across Key Stage 3, students revisit and deepen their understanding of key concepts such as cause, consequence, change, significance and interpretation, ensuring knowledge is secure, connected and built over time, and preparing them effectively for further study at GCSE.
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is designed to build on the foundations established at Key Stage 3, enabling students to develop a deep, coherent and secure understanding of the past. Through the study of carefully selected enquiries, students strengthen both their substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills, including the ability to analyse sources, evaluate interpretations and construct well-supported historical arguments.
Year 10
Students begin with Britain: Health and the People (c1000–present), a thematic study which develops understanding of change and continuity over time, including the role of individuals, government and scientific advancement in shaping medicine and public health. Alongside this, students study Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and Dictatorship, exploring the collapse of democracy and the rise of Nazi rule. This allows students to deepen their understanding of power, control and ideology, while applying key concepts such as causation and significance.
Year 11
Students then study Conflict and Tension in Asia (1950–1975), examining the causes, development and consequences of the Korean and Vietnam Wars within the context of the Cold War. This unit develops students’ understanding of international relations, conflict and interpretation. In addition, students complete a British depth study on Norman England, where they explore the Norman Conquest, the establishment of control, changes to the Church and society, and a historic site.
Across Key Stage 4, the curriculum is sequenced to ensure that students revisit and deepen their understanding of key historical concepts such as cause, consequence, change, significance and interpretation. The combination of thematic, period and depth studies ensures students gain a broad and balanced understanding of history, while also developing the skills required for success at GCSE.
By the end of Key Stage 4, students will be able to think critically, evaluate evidence and form substantiated judgements, equipping them for further study and informed engagement with the modern world.
