Overview

History at UBHS is designed to foster engagement into the past and how it reflects in the present and future. Like the world around us today, history is consistently changing. We encourage the learners to look back and begin asking questions about the past and our curriculum supports these questions through our focus on historiography. We investigate how a building can inform us of local and national culture, how medicine has developed and how the present is shaped by the past such as the Treaty of Versailles and the Second World War. There is a large emphasis on encouraging our learners to think as a historian and apply these skills to their life and their interactions.

History at UBHS

At UBHS, our History curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity about the past and its connections to both the present and the future. History is not a static subject; like the world around us, it evolves. We encourage learners to explore the past, ask critical questions, and engage with historical debates, supported by a strong focus on historiography. Through our curriculum, learners will investigate how historical developments—from architectural heritage to medical advancements—shape our present world. Topics such as Ancient Medicine and the dictators of the 1920s and 1930s will help learners understand how past events continue to influence contemporary society. Our goal is to help learners think like historians, equipping them with critical skills that apply beyond the classroom.

Year 7 Topics:

• Skipton Castle: A reflection of Britain over the past 1000 years
• The development of medicine from Ancient China to the Middle Ages
• The global impact of Viking explorations, both east and west
• Shifts in power between the monarchy and the Church
• The influence of the Ottoman Empire on the world
• The significance of the Tudors in British history

Year 8 Topics:

• The Reformation and its transformation of Britain
• The global impact of the Enlightenment
• The development of political suffrage in the UK, leading up to 1928
• The causes of the First World War
• The cultural consequences of the First World War
• The First World War's impact on Ireland

Year 9 Topics:

• The impact of the First World War on Russia
• Attempts to maintain peace in Europe post-1918
• The rise of dictators in Europe during the 1920s and 1930s
• The Holocaust (compulsory topic)
• The influence of post-war immigration on Britain
• The impact of the Cold War on Europe and the world

Year 10 Topics:

• Britain: Health and the People c.1000–present day
• Elizabethan England c.1568–1603

Year 11 Topics:

• Conflict and Tension, 1918–1939
• Germany: Democracy to dictatorship c.1890-1945

Extracurricular Provision and Enrichment Opportunities

The History department offers a range of educational visits and extracurricular activities to complement classroom learning. In Year 9, learners have the opportunity to visit Bradford Literacy Festival to see plays based on historical people and events, connecting their studies to theatre. Year 8 students participate in a unique “voices project,” allowing them to engage in historical research and inquiry.

During the GCSE course, we offer educational visits to sites such as Hardwick Hall and the Thackray Medical Museum to deepen learners’ understanding of their studies. We also provide after-school revision sessions to support learners in furthering their knowledge and preparation for exams.

Encouraging Curiosity and Literacy through Documentaries

Watching age-appropriate documentaries on historical topics is an excellent way to foster curiosity and a deeper understanding of history outside the classroom. Documentaries bring historical events and figures to life, making them more engaging and accessible. To further encourage literacy skills, we recommend watching these documentaries with subtitles on. This practice not only enhances reading skills but can also expand your child’s vocabulary, offering exposure to a broader range of language while learning about the past.

Resources to Support Learning

• BBC Bitesize History
• https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryHit
•  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/history/features

Other Information

Visiting local or national museums is a fantastic way to encourage a passion for History. Popular national museums such as the Imperial War Museum North (Salford), Royal Armouries (Leeds), Thackray Medical Museum (Leeds), and Leeds City Museum regularly update their exhibits, offering engaging experiences. Additionally, local museums such as Bagshaw Museum, Bankfield Museum (Halifax), Lotherton Hall (North Leeds near Towton), and Skipton Castle provide excellent opportunities for students to further explore historical themes and ideas.