History
Department ethos:–The History Department at Commonweal strives to give children a sense of perspective about their lives. Without knowledge of where they have come from, young people can become shallow and insular in their thinking. Through energetic and innovative teaching, the History Department attempts to inspire students to have a keen interest in the past and understand the relevance of History in shaping their own lives.
Supporting the school’s specialism:- We attempt to support the school’s specialist arts status by organising various relevant activities throughout the year. For example the Department has worked together with two experts on the English Civil War who brought History to life for Year 8 by dressing up in period costumes and allowing children to examine artefacts from the conflict. A similar lesson has also been carried out for Year 7 students by an expert on the medieval period.
Furthermore the Department has worked with the Swindon Black History Group who performed a play on Afro-Caribbean life in the early 20 th century for Year 9 students.
Links to outside agencies:- The History Department likes to take History out of the classroom. For example every year we run a school trip for the whole of Year 7 to Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey. We also take Year 11 students on a trip to assist with coursework. Some years, we run a Year 10 trip to the First World War Battlefields of France and Belgium.
Department successes:- As the most popular optional subject at Commonweal, many students go on to study History at College and University level. We often accommodate ex-students who are interested in becoming History teachers on informal work experience weeks with the History Department.
Useful web addresses:-
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
http://learningcurve.pro.gov.uk
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk
Click on the two links below for:
Yr 11 SHP Mock Exam Revision Dec 08
GCSE Modern World History Mock Exam Revision 08
