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Secondary History Discussion

Please use this forum to discuss any aspect of History teaching or the History curriculum at 11 - 16. Anyone with website access may create topics, we encourage discussion, please remember to be polite and respect the views of others even if you don't agree with them

Topics
	Web Debates8 Responses \| Last response: 6th October, 9:20 pm by Martyn Davison We're currently planning a series of web debates to begin in September 2008. Are there any areas that members would find particularly useful?
	A Levels and International Baccalaureate1 Response \| Last response: 22nd August, 7:43 am by Barbara Hibbert I'm a student at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Kent. Although history is part of the curriculum, the syllabus is completely different. Instead of the usual period of history that A Levels encompass - Tudors etc - the course that I study concentrates solely on the modern era, namely WW1 to the Cold War. I wondered what teachers, students and others thought about this - should the syllabus be restricted in this way, or is it better to concentrate fully on a short period of time and really comprehend it fully?
	Calderdale history on the radio1 Response \| Last response: 6th October, 9:09 pm by Dan Moorhouse Anyone - school pupil or not - who wishes to contribute features on local history to Phoenix FM, the community radio station for Calderdale in Yorkshire - will be warmly welcomed and given all the technical help necessary. Please contact Sara Hinchliffe on 01422 365923 or e-mail sara@phoenixfm.co.uk if you are interested.
	Teaching Stuart History in Secondary Schools2 Responses \| Last response: 30th August, 10:39 am by Maggie Wilson I am writing a dissertation looking at how museums can provide education programmes reaching the new national curriculum objectives for secondary schools, by focussing on Stuart history. I would really appreciate some input from teachers as to the main barriers to teaching Stuart history at key stage 3. This would greatly help me gain an understanding of what museums can do to provide education facilities in this subject area. Barriers may be in terms of location, organisation, teachers' personal subject knowledge, or school policy for example. I will be very grateful for any advice or opinions on the matter. Thank You.
	GCSE History results9 Responses \| Last response: 6th January, 5:45 pm by Stephanie Bingham After yet another disappointing set of results for AQA GCSE Modern World History I am wondering what more we can do, and whether anyone else has the same experience? Some excellent and hardworking students have got at least a grade lower than they should have, and overall I would estimate our results are half a grade down. This year we have tried to revise in a really structured way - to no avail, the results are as usual. What experience do others have of the different boards? We also had a small group for the OCR pilot GCSE who had excellent results, but feel this is not suitable for all our cohort (120+ students, the largest option group in the school, so the kids like the subject!) We need to have confidence in whatever board we start teaching in September 2009, but also to do our best by the two remaining AQA cohorts. Comments/advice please!
	Teaching "The Growth of Democracy in Britain" to A levelCan anyone help? I am teaching "The Growth of Democracy in Britain 1830-1931" as an A2 unit. I am hoping to lay my hands on 2 Historical Association pamphlets which I am told are out of print. They are "The Reformed Electoral System in Great Britain 1832-1914" by H Hanham (HA 1969) and "The Evolution of the British Electoral System 1832-1987" by M Pugh (HA 1988). I will buy or borrow. Thanks.
	Farnce 1814-70I am teaching this year at AS level the OCR module on France and am looking for copies of the Access series, 'Monarchy, Republic and Empire' by Keith Randell which is now out of print. Can anyone help? Has anyone got unused copies lurking at the back of their stock cupboard? would be most grateful to hear from you. Thanks.
	Promoting Community Cohension2 Responses \| Last response: 6th October, 9:13 pm by Dan Moorhouse Having survived an OFSTED inspection last week which included an interview with an inspector regarding Community Cohesion I am looking to improve our students' understanding of the diversity within our country. I teach in a large East London comprehensive with a very diverse ethnic make-up of students, many of whom have been no further than central London and do not know that there is anything other then city life in existence. I am looking to set up links with a school that would differ greatly from ours to try and increase our students' outlook. The aim is to eventually organise either video conferencing or a visit to another school(s) to try and open up the students' eyes and to give htem the chance to communicate with different types of students.
	Looking for GSCE British History ScriptwritersWe are looking for History teachers (current teachers or those with recent GCSE teaching experience) to write some audiobooks for the website www.gcsepod.co.uk. You’ll be asked to write scripts of around 5 minutes on curriculum topics. The work is paid and can be done from home in your own time. The scripts need to be engaging, lively and informative. We particularly need writers in the area of: British History. If you’re potentially interested please send me an email at jane.parks@soundbitelearning.co.uk. Please include your CV and your areas of specialism within British History. We look forward to hearing from you.
	AS Causes of the American Civil WarCalling all A level History departments. I am looking to make contact with anyone responsible for providing the course above, especially if you teach the OCR specification. Dave Grimshaw The Wensleydale School
	Akbar the Great1 Response \| Last response: 10th December, 3:26 pm by Esther Arnott I've been to a local History Network meeting today led by Michael Riley. As a result I'm quite keen to have a go at the QCA unit comparing Akbar and Elizabeth I but I can't seem to find much in the way of resources. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? Thanks
	Students dropping history in Year Eight?5 Responses \| Last response: 5th January, 7:47 pm by Simon Edward John Bishop Our school is considering a two year Key Stage Three. This means students would recieve 1/3rd less teaching in history and if they do not take it as an option for GCSE will not study history beyond year eight. Am I over-reacting or is this a serious issue?
	Mid-Tudor Crisis - Edexcel Unit 6Does anyone have any past papers for this Unit - we've only just changed and although we purchased 2007, 06 and 05 from the exam board, I'm struggling to find any more. I'm aware the style changed not so long back, but more than anything it's the sources that are used in the paper that I'm desperate for. Many thanks!

Topics
	Web Debates8 Responses \| Last response: 6th October, 9:20 pm by Martyn Davison We're currently planning a series of web debates to begin in September 2008. Are there any areas that members would find particularly useful?
	A Levels and International Baccalaureate1 Response \| Last response: 22nd August, 7:43 am by Barbara Hibbert I'm a student at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Kent. Although history is part of the curriculum, the syllabus is completely different. Instead of the usual period of history that A Levels encompass - Tudors etc - the course that I study concentrates solely on the modern era, namely WW1 to the Cold War. I wondered what teachers, students and others thought about this - should the syllabus be restricted in this way, or is it better to concentrate fully on a short period of time and really comprehend it fully?
	Calderdale history on the radio1 Response \| Last response: 6th October, 9:09 pm by Dan Moorhouse Anyone - school pupil or not - who wishes to contribute features on local history to Phoenix FM, the community radio station for Calderdale in Yorkshire - will be warmly welcomed and given all the technical help necessary. Please contact Sara Hinchliffe on 01422 365923 or e-mail sara@phoenixfm.co.uk if you are interested.
	Teaching Stuart History in Secondary Schools2 Responses \| Last response: 30th August, 10:39 am by Maggie Wilson I am writing a dissertation looking at how museums can provide education programmes reaching the new national curriculum objectives for secondary schools, by focussing on Stuart history. I would really appreciate some input from teachers as to the main barriers to teaching Stuart history at key stage 3. This would greatly help me gain an understanding of what museums can do to provide education facilities in this subject area. Barriers may be in terms of location, organisation, teachers' personal subject knowledge, or school policy for example. I will be very grateful for any advice or opinions on the matter. Thank You.
	GCSE History results9 Responses \| Last response: 6th January, 5:45 pm by Stephanie Bingham After yet another disappointing set of results for AQA GCSE Modern World History I am wondering what more we can do, and whether anyone else has the same experience? Some excellent and hardworking students have got at least a grade lower than they should have, and overall I would estimate our results are half a grade down. This year we have tried to revise in a really structured way - to no avail, the results are as usual. What experience do others have of the different boards? We also had a small group for the OCR pilot GCSE who had excellent results, but feel this is not suitable for all our cohort (120+ students, the largest option group in the school, so the kids like the subject!) We need to have confidence in whatever board we start teaching in September 2009, but also to do our best by the two remaining AQA cohorts. Comments/advice please!
	Teaching "The Growth of Democracy in Britain" to A levelCan anyone help? I am teaching "The Growth of Democracy in Britain 1830-1931" as an A2 unit. I am hoping to lay my hands on 2 Historical Association pamphlets which I am told are out of print. They are "The Reformed Electoral System in Great Britain 1832-1914" by H Hanham (HA 1969) and "The Evolution of the British Electoral System 1832-1987" by M Pugh (HA 1988). I will buy or borrow. Thanks.
	Farnce 1814-70I am teaching this year at AS level the OCR module on France and am looking for copies of the Access series, 'Monarchy, Republic and Empire' by Keith Randell which is now out of print. Can anyone help? Has anyone got unused copies lurking at the back of their stock cupboard? would be most grateful to hear from you. Thanks.
	Promoting Community Cohension2 Responses \| Last response: 6th October, 9:13 pm by Dan Moorhouse Having survived an OFSTED inspection last week which included an interview with an inspector regarding Community Cohesion I am looking to improve our students' understanding of the diversity within our country. I teach in a large East London comprehensive with a very diverse ethnic make-up of students, many of whom have been no further than central London and do not know that there is anything other then city life in existence. I am looking to set up links with a school that would differ greatly from ours to try and increase our students' outlook. The aim is to eventually organise either video conferencing or a visit to another school(s) to try and open up the students' eyes and to give htem the chance to communicate with different types of students.
	Looking for GSCE British History ScriptwritersWe are looking for History teachers (current teachers or those with recent GCSE teaching experience) to write some audiobooks for the website www.gcsepod.co.uk. You’ll be asked to write scripts of around 5 minutes on curriculum topics. The work is paid and can be done from home in your own time. The scripts need to be engaging, lively and informative. We particularly need writers in the area of: British History. If you’re potentially interested please send me an email at jane.parks@soundbitelearning.co.uk. Please include your CV and your areas of specialism within British History. We look forward to hearing from you.
	AS Causes of the American Civil WarCalling all A level History departments. I am looking to make contact with anyone responsible for providing the course above, especially if you teach the OCR specification. Dave Grimshaw The Wensleydale School
	Akbar the Great1 Response \| Last response: 10th December, 3:26 pm by Esther Arnott I've been to a local History Network meeting today led by Michael Riley. As a result I'm quite keen to have a go at the QCA unit comparing Akbar and Elizabeth I but I can't seem to find much in the way of resources. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? Thanks
	Students dropping history in Year Eight?5 Responses \| Last response: 5th January, 7:47 pm by Simon Edward John Bishop Our school is considering a two year Key Stage Three. This means students would recieve 1/3rd less teaching in history and if they do not take it as an option for GCSE will not study history beyond year eight. Am I over-reacting or is this a serious issue?
	Mid-Tudor Crisis - Edexcel Unit 6Does anyone have any past papers for this Unit - we've only just changed and although we purchased 2007, 06 and 05 from the exam board, I'm struggling to find any more. I'm aware the style changed not so long back, but more than anything it's the sources that are used in the paper that I'm desperate for. Many thanks!