St Michael’s history department allows pupils to grow in body, mind and spirit. By helping pupils understand the past they can better understand and shape the world they live in today by learning from the mistakes and being inspired by our forebears.
Our ethos is to promote curiosity by asking challenging questions and encouraging pupils to pursue answers that are carefully considered and rooted in historical evidence. Our broad curriculum exposes pupils to complex frameworks and language which provokes thought and helps them to learn about a range of significant historical episodes that shows the very best and worst of humanity. Episodes that highlight the nuances and interlinked nature of our communities, societies and the complexities of the human experience.
Our Holocaust education, especially, equips pupils with critical thinking skills to help keep them safe from extremist ideologies and encourages them to be courageous advocates against prejudice, injustice and be a force for good.
Years 7 and 8
In Years 7 and 8 History pupils are given a sense of time through a chronological and themed approach. They study the various periods from Medieval Times to the 20th Century that form the foundations for future study of History.
In Year 7, students begin developing their historical skills and conceptual understanding by exploring the impact of the Norman Conquest. They also explore the changing role of religion in England through the Early Modern period as well as the slow movement towards Parliamentary democracy in Britain.
Year 8 focuses on the 20th Century, covering the many complex causes of the First World War as well as the long political, social and economic shadow it has cast that has shaped the world we see today.
Year 9
The Year 9 curriculum follows a series of case studies that draw on the sense of chronology and historical knowledge pupils have gained in their first two years of the curriculum and further develop a deeper and richer understanding of historical concepts, places, events and issues that still greatly shape events today. The case studies range from the USSR, the Troubles in Northern Ireland and what the experiences of Windrush nurses can teach us about Britain in the past and present.
In Year 9, all pupils embark on the Curriculum Enrichment programme. As part of the programme, all pupils take part in a local History project, whereby they are engaged in historical discovery, placing people and places from the past into present day Chorley. This encourages them to develop an understanding of local history and the visible traces left behind in the present and builds on the skills and knowledge gained during History lessons in Years 7 and 8. Please see the information and learning scheme for Local History below or on the webpage for the Year 9 Curriculum Enrichment programme.
Year 9 Curriculum Enrichment - Treasure Maps and Family Tracks
Years 10 and 11
In Years 10 and 11 pupils follow a broad History course that spans Early Modern to modern day Britain and the wider world. They learn about key developments and events that have shaped the modern world we live in today.
In all lessons the emphasis is on pupils becoming independent learners, developing resilience and encouraging resourcefulness. This is enhanced by a well developed area on the school’s vle that pupils are encouraged to use. All pupils are challenged through the development of subject specific skills such as the ability to analyse and use source material, and be able to evaluate the different interpretations of the past.
History also places a great deal of importance on the development and improvement of the key literacy skills so that pupils develop their ability to find, recall, select, organise and communicate information.
They are also helped to develop substantiated explanations, arguments and judgements.
The department believes in an active approach to learning in order to motivate all pupils and they are encouraged to use a variety of media in order to show what they have learned this includes producing artwork, models, drama, and short films.
History Learning Schemes