History

By the end of their History journey at Forge Valley, pupils will have developed the full range of disciplinary skills required to study the past with accuracy and insight. They will learn to interpret a variety of historical sources, analyse evidence critically, and understand how and why interpretations of history differ. Pupils are taught how to construct clear, well‑reasoned arguments that consider multiple viewpoints and weigh up the reliability of evidence.

Our curriculum follows a broad and engaging timeline that introduces pupils to significant events, individuals and developments across world history. Topics include:

• The Chinese Qing Dynasty – understanding empire, governance and cultural change
• The Industrial Revolution – exploring technological, economic and social transformation
• The Expansion of the British Empire – examining power, conflict, migration and global influence
• The Cold War – analysing global tension, ideology and international relations
• The War on Terror – understanding modern conflict, diplomacy and global security

By studying these diverse periods, pupils develop the analytical tools needed to interpret the present. They gain insight into the roots of modern issues such as globalisation, conflict, technological change and political power.

Our ambition is that every pupil leaves Forge Valley with the knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills to make sense of the world around them. We aim to empower them to become active, reflective and responsible participants in society—young people ready to question, challenge and contribute to shaping the future.

Studying GCSE History opens doors to a wide range of future pathways. The subject develops highly valuable academic and personal skills that are recognised by sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers across every sector.

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Higher Education Opportunities

GCSE History provides an excellent foundation for a number of post‑16 courses, including:

Post‑16 Study

• A Level History
• A Level Politics
• A Level Sociology
• A Level Law
• A Level English Literature or Language
• A Level Philosophy & Ethics
• Criminology
• Psychology
• Public Services
• Vocational qualifications related to social sciences or humanities

These courses build on the analytical, evaluative and writing skills developed at GCSE.

University Progression

History is highly respected by universities because it develops independent thinking and strong communication skills. GCSE and A‑level History can lead to degrees in:

• History
• Law
• Politics & International Relations
• Archaeology
• Journalism or Media Studies
• Education
• Anthropology
• Philosophy
• Sociology
• Classics
• Economics (with strong analytical skills)

History graduates are known for being adaptable and articulate, making the degree valuable in many professional fields.

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Career Opportunities

The skills gained in GCSE History are relevant to almost every career path. Common routes include:

Public Sector & Government

• Civil service
• Local government
• Policy development
• Diplomatic services
• Armed forces

Law & Justice

• Solicitor
• Barrister
• Legal executive
• Police officer
• Probation services
• Criminology and forensic roles

Media, Communication & Culture

• Journalism
• Broadcasting
• Publishing
• Museums and heritage
• Archiving and conservation
• Tourism

Education & Research

• Teaching
• Academic research
• Museum education
• Youth work

Business & Management

• Project management
• Human resources
• Marketing and communications
• Leadership roles requiring analytical and decision‑making skills

The ability to evaluate information, argue a viewpoint and think critically is valued in every sector.

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Life Skills and Personal Development

Beyond qualifications and careers, GCSE History helps pupils develop essential life skills:

• Critical thinking – evaluating information and identifying bias
• Communication – constructing clear, well‑supported arguments
• Problem‑solving – assessing evidence and making informed decisions
• Understanding society – recognising how past events shape modern life
• Empathy and cultural awareness – understanding diverse perspectives
• Resilience – tackling challenging texts and extended writing

These skills support young people in becoming confident, informed and active citizens.

Supporting your child in History is less about memorising dates and more about helping them think critically, stay organised and make connections between the past and the world today. Here are simple, practical ways you can help at home.

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Talk About History in Everyday Life

You don’t need to be an expert—just showing interest helps enormously. You can:

• Discuss historical events mentioned in the news or documentaries
• Talk about how the past has shaped the world today (wars, inventions, conflict, rights, migration)
• Visit local museums, heritage sites or historical landmarks when possible

These conversations make history feel relevant and real.

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Encourage Reading and Research

History thrives on curiosity. Support your child by:

• Encouraging them to read articles, books or short summaries about the topics they are studying
• Helping them research major people, events or time periods
• Suggesting documentaries or short videos about topics such as the British Empire, the Cold War or the Industrial Revolution

Even 10–15 minutes of independent research can boost understanding.

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Support Regular Revision

History requires pupils to remember big ideas, key events and historical concepts. You can help by encouraging:

• Short, frequent revision sessions
• Use of flashcards for key dates, people and terms
• Creating mind maps to show causes and consequences
• Self‑quizzing—ask them what they learned each week

Retrieval practice is essential for exam success.

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Help With Essay and Interpretation Skills

Pupils often struggle with extended writing and structuring arguments. You can support by asking them:

• “What was the main cause of this event?”
• “How do we know this source is reliable?”
• “Why might people disagree about what happened?”

These questions mirror the thinking required in GCSE exam answers.

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Encourage Them to Form Their Own Opinions

History is about evaluating evidence, not just learning facts. Support your child by:

• Asking what they think about an event or viewpoint
• Encouraging them to justify their answer
• Discussing why historians might disagree

This helps build confidence and analytical skills.

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Promote Good Organisation

Being organised is essential in History. You can help by ensuring they:

• Keep class notes tidy and in order
• Review their work regularly, not just before assessments
• File resources and revision sheets by topic
• Plan their homework and revision around deadlines

A well‑organised student is a confident student.

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Encourage Use of High-Quality Resources

Your child may benefit from:

• Revision websites suggested by teachers
• GCSE practice questions
• Past papers or exam‑style questions
• Documentaries and articles linked to their topics

These help them understand the exam style and apply their knowledge effectively.

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Maintain Communication With School

If your child is struggling with a particular topic or skill, contact the History department. We can:

• Provide targeted revision materials
• Offer guidance on essay structure
• Recommend useful books or websites
• Arrange additional support where needed

Working together helps your child thrive.

 

Here are some useful documents that detail useful books, YouTube videos, podcasts and websites that your child can access to support their classroom learning. All of these resources are accessible for free either in our library (Learning Resource Centre) or online: