Curriculum Overview
At Myton the History curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity about the past and help students understand how historical events shape our world today. Through engaging lessons, critical thinking, and diverse sources, students develop a deeper understanding of human experience across time and place. The curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, promote empathy, and encourage students to make connections between the past and the present. Through a diverse range of historical topics and enquiry-based learning, Myton School equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for further study and active citizenship.
History gives us the tools to make sense of the world—and to help shape a better future.
Why Study History?
Studying history helps us understand how the world has changed over time and why things are the way they are today. It’s not just about memorizing dates and events—it’s about learning the stories of people, places, and ideas that have shaped our lives.
In history class, students:
- Learn about the past to better understand the present.
- Think critically by asking questions, analysing sources, and forming opinions.
- Understand different cultures and perspectives, which helps build respect and empathy.
- Discover important lessons from past successes and mistakes.
- Become informed citizens, ready to take part in their communities and the world.
KS3
The KS3 History curriculum at Myton School provides students with a broad and engaging overview of British and world history, fostering a strong foundation for historical understanding and critical thinking. Spanning from Year 7 to Year 9, the curriculum explores key themes: such as power, conflict, identity, migration, religion and change over time. Emphasis is placed on developing analytical skills through the evaluation of sources, interpretations, and understanding of cause and consequence relationships. Students investigate significant events and periods, including:
- Norman Conquest
- Tudor dynasty
- Beliefs in witchcraft
- English Civil War
- City of Timbuktu and it’s connections with the Mali Empire and wider world
- Transatlantic slave trade
- Jack the Ripper case to understand society during the Industrial Revolution
- World War I and II
- Votes for Women
- Civil Rights Movements.
KS4
Myton’s History department follows the Edexcel History GCSE. Students cover 4 exam units across the two years, and these are a combination of breadth, depth, and period studies. The subject areas allow for a mix of social and political history, with a range of perspectives, experiences and interpretations covered.
We have chosen Migrants in Britain c.800-present as it builds empathy and understanding in students, by learning about why people migrated, the challenges they faced, and the impact they had, which encourages students to think critically and compassionately about current issues. Many of the topics link with the KS3 curriculum allow for a general understanding for the 20th century units, especially in terms of causes of war, the impact of WWI, and the inter-war years. This foundation of knowledge supports students in the Weimar and Nazi Germany 1919-1939 and Superpower relations and the Cold War 1974-1991 topics. The ordering of units allows for a building of skills across the two years, starting with the least complex subject knowledge, Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588. Students will continue to build on and practice the variety of historical skills, such as source inference and evaluating interpretations over the two-year GCSE. All units are exam based and take place in the summer of Year 11.
KS5
The Myton History Department delivers the Edexcel A-Level History course, offering a rich and varied programme that covers significant periods and events across British and world history. The curriculum is designed to build and reinforce key historical skills—such as analysis, evaluation, and structured argument—which are not only essential for success in History but are also highly transferable across other subjects and into higher education. This diversity of content helps cater to a wide range of student interests and academic strengths.
Course Components
Component 1: Breadth Study – The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
- Explores the development of the English monarchy under the Tudors
- Themes include the consolidation of power, government reforms, rebellion, and the impact of religious change
- Focus on long-term developments over more than a century
Component 2: Depth Study – Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
- In-depth examination of revolutionary change and authoritarian rule in Russia
- Covers the fall of the Tsarist regime, the Bolshevik rise to power, Lenin’s government, and the Stalinist era
- Strong emphasis on historiographical debate and interpretation
Component 3: Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) – Historical Investigation: American Civil Rights 1865-1968
- A coursework element worth 20% of the final grade
- Students undertake an independent investigation on a historical topic of their choice (within a broad framework)
- Encourages research, critical thinking, and engagement with historical interpretations and evidence
- Word count: approximately 3,000–4,500 words
Skills Development
Throughout the course, students will develop and refine skills such as:
- Constructing and supporting complex arguments
- Analysing and evaluating historical sources and interpretations
- Independent research and extended writing
- Critical engagement with historiography
These skills are highly regarded by universities and employers alike, making A-Level History an excellent foundation for further study in the humanities, law, politics, and more.
