KS4 Specification - AQA
The History department at West Kirby Grammar School consists of five teachers, who are all subject specialists. The department has four classrooms, all with iTV technology. At Key Stage 3, students study History for two lessons a week covering everything from the Battle of Hastings to the Cold War. The idea is to give them a breadth of chronological understanding in the events that have shaped British History so that, even if they never study History again, they are left with a broad overview of the subject. Here they focus on developing their source evaluation skills and extended writing to meet the needs of the Key Stage 4 course. Trips at Key Stage 3 include Speke Hall and the International Slavery Museum.
We offer an interesting and engaging GCSE course covering topics including Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany 1890-1945, Conflict and Tension 1894-1918, Power and the People c1170 - the Present Day and Elizabethan England c1568-1603. Students are offered a range of opportunities to bring their learning to life including visiting the Battlefields of WW1 in France and Belgium, studying the history of protest at the Peoples' Museum in Manchester and exploring the development of a nation state in our popular Berlin residential.
Many students continue to study History at A-level where students study Tsarist and Communist Russia 1855-1964 and the Making of Modern Britain 1951-2007. They also complete coursework on Nationalism in Ireland 1789 - 1922, which includes a tour of Dublin and Belfast.
The department is very proud of its public examination results with 70% of students achieving grades 9-7 at GCSE. At A-level, 61% of students gained A* - B grades in and 11% achieved an A* grade.
examination results
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-7
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-6
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-4
What we’ve been up to…
Self-Care September - Day 21: Remind yourself that you are loved and worthy of love. #Wellbeing #SelfCareSeptember @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/hKYe6kaDkF
Update 2: Anyone can start the next level, Gold at 16 years, but eDofE will always show it as being direct until the previous level has been achieved. Always remember the participant has until they are 25 years old to complete their award.
Update 1: For all levels - an expedition is still required to complete an Award. The certificate of achievement is sent out to those completing 3 sections at each level (this excludes the expedition at Bronze, silver & gold and also the residential at Gold).
Self-Care September - Day 20: No plans day - make time to slow down and be kind to yourself. #wellbeing #SelfCareSeptember #relaxation #bekind @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/2jUxA2tEBE
Self-Care September - Day 19: Get active outside and give your mind & body a natural boost. #Wellbeing #SelfCareSeptember #outdoors @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/RxCR4vHGhy
Rest in peace Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A role model to us all @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/fNRYnYtm2K
Please find attached a letter from Wirral Borough Council for all parents/carers to wear a face covering if you are getting out of the car or physically escorting your child to the school entrances with effect from Mon 21 Sept 2020 wkgs.org/files/preview/… #WKGSCommunity💙
Self-Care September - Day 18: Don't compare how you feel inside to how others appear outside. #Wellbeing #SelfCareSeptember @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/DCn9PMudBw
Exciting start to Y7 history, students are working through an inquiry on life in Baghdad in the 8th Century - in what ways was it similar to Anglo Saxon England? #WKGSY7 https://t.co/i5xykxRDlX
Self-Care September - Day 17: Leave positive messages for yourself to see regularly. @WestKirbyGS #bekind #SelfCareSeptember #wellbeing https://t.co/h7e2kr2iTJ
🔊#WKGS Parents/Carers Please find below⬇️a link to a video which Wirral Borough Council have produced which is aimed at supporting parents/carers on what they need to do if their child/ward shows symptoms, to help reduce risk of transmission in schools. vimeo.com/458533722
Self-Care September - Day 16: Notice what you are feeling today, without any judgement. #SelfCareSeptember #Wellbeing #bekind https://t.co/YIwQ1et75I
What have you done today to make you feel proud? @WestKirbyGS @WKGS_Wellbeing #WKGSY10 #WKGSY11 #WKGS6thFORM https://t.co/6oPFZpMaqW
What activities are you doing for Duke of Edinburgh? @WestKirbyGS #WKGSY10 #WKGSY11 #WKGS6thFORM https://t.co/qBTwflLW4L
Self-Care September - Day 15: Find a caring, calming phrase to say to yourself when feeling low. #Wellbeing #SelfCareSeptember https://t.co/cDVo3lkr48