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…
Happier January - Day 22: Try out something new to get out of your comfort zone. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/qpntcZIM12
7Y started a new EQ today inspired by @OakNational. How far did the Black Death change the medieval world? Began with an extract from @peterfrankopan’s illustrated silk roads and analysed some contemporary sources and maps. Superb contributions @WestKirbyGS #WKGSY7 https://t.co/ERORGB4Fff
Happier January - Day 21: Take a small step towards an important goal. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/5xZErLQWpb
Some impressive judgement paragraphs from 7Y to draw our medieval monarchs unit to a close. Well done 🤩 @WestKirbyGS #WKGSY7 https://t.co/QxGKmAqvxO
Happier January - Day 20: Go to bed in good time and give yourself time to recharge. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/VEAgb5Eoeo
7Y wowed today with their ‘portion up the pie’ activity on medieval monarchs @WestKirbyGS #WKGSY7 https://t.co/7QwIjAOAzl
Happier January - Day 19: Get back in touch with an old friend you miss. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/o74zoFz28l
Happier January - Day 18: Focus on what’s good, even if today feels tough. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/CDu517FcT9
Happier January - Day 17: Contribute positively to a good cause or your community. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/PGd0KfmhN7
Happier January - Day 16: Get outside and notice five things that are beautiful. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/pQBctncu9K
Happier January - Day 15: Eat healthy food which really nourishes you today. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/lB8vrQzjZx
Tremendous medieval monarchs Top Trumps from 7Y @WestKirbyGS #WKGSY7 https://t.co/Vy28JKYNfj
Our amazing students at #WKGS have spent 7329 hours learning on @SenecaLearn in 2020! Get your school's report here bit.ly/2020Summary #WKGSCommunity💙 #Amazing #ExtraEffort #Proud @WKGS_Pastoral https://t.co/UEBQwNn25f
Well done to 7K this morning, we are summarising our work on medieval monarchs. Head to head between Eleanor of Aquitaine and Mansa Musa at the moment. It’s all to play for 👏 #WKGSY7 @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/apvC5GfjoP
Happier January - Day 14: Take a different route today and see what you notice. #Wellbeing #HappierJanuary @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/EIlRtLWi0X