History

Inspiring Intellectually Independent Global Citizens

The history department at Bulmershe School aims to inspire students to investigate the historical processes, events and figures that have shaped the world around them. As a result of studying history, students develop an understanding of Britain’s role in the wider world, and are able to use this knowledge to engage actively in society.  As well as empowering students with knowledge, the department challenges students to develop as learners, allowing them to question, analyse and reason in on-going historical debates.

What happens at KS3?

The history curriculum allows students to learn about a diverse range of societies, in different time periods and locations. The variety on offer means students are very positive about the curriculum. Students will learn about the changing themes of power, religion and protest, as well as studying global and local historical questions.

KS3 Banding Criteria

If you child is in years 7-9, their report will be graded in bands. To understand the criteria behind these bands, please see the assessment document below:

History-KS3-Assessment-Criteria.pdf

What happens at KS4?

At GCSE the department uses the Edexcel examination board, and the topics can be seen in the table below. It is the aim of the department to stimulate student interest in the past through enjoyable yet academically rigorous topics. Our main concern is to equip our pupils with the knowledge and skills to allow them to obtain qualifications and understanding that will be valuable to them throughout their lives. We provide a safe and stimulating environment for lessons where every pupil is guided in how to make the best possible progress. 

Exam Board: Edexcel

FInd out more about our GCSE History course: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html

What happens in KS5?

At A level the department uses the OCR examination board, and the topics can be seen in the table below. They have been chosen in consultation with students for interest and intellectual worth. A level history is highly regarded, not least for its transferable skills. These include being able to effectively communicate complex ideas, the ability to research, analyse and evaluate information, both orally and in writing, and the capacity to make substantiated judgements. 

Students will have two teachers in each year, and a particular strength of the course is the opportunity for independent research through the coursework unit in Year Thirteen. 

Exam Board: OCR

Find out more about our A-Level History Course: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/170128-specification-accredited-a-level-gce-history-a-h505.pdf

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

After students have joined the Bulmershe Sixth Form, they may opt to do an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in addition to their A-Level subjects. The EPQ is a project carried out on a topic of your choice. At Bulmershe School the EPQ sits in the Humanities Faculty and directly supports the faculty vision of ‘inspiring intellectually independent global citizens’.

Find out more about the EPQ at Bulmershe

Opportunities beyond the classroom

Our extra-curricular programme is supported by opportunities outside of the classroom such as external revision days, internal revision, debating club. Previous study days have included visits to Ufton Court and the First World War battlefields. The department is also very proud to play a role in the local community’s Remembrance activities each November.

Teaching Team

Mrs H Coombes
Head of History
hcoombes@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Miss G Moores 
gmoores@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Mr R Allger
Head of Politics
rallger@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

Miss T Moran 
tmoran@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Mr J Poll
jpoll@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Mr D Ridsdale 
dridsdale@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Mrs A Hoque
ahoque@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Mrs K Moon 
kroberts@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Mrs C Thomas
cthomas@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk 

Further Information

If you have any further queries, please contact the History Department Lead Mrs Coombes: hcoombes@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk