Key Stage 3 history is a branch of humanities that covers a wide range of topics, including:

• British history: Exploring the key events and figures that have shaped British history, from the Anglo-Saxons to the present day

• World history: Investigating the major developments and turning points in world history, from ancient civilizations to the modern era

• Local history: Understanding the history of the local area and its place within the wider context of British and world history

• Social history: Examining the lives of ordinary people throughout history and how they have shaped society

• Political history: Investigating the development of political systems and the role of key political figures

• Economic history: Exploring the history of economic systems and how they have influenced society

• Cultural history: Studying the development of art, literature, music, and other forms of culture throughout history

The aims of Key Stage 3 history are to:

• Develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of history
• Encourage pupils to develop a critical understanding of historical sources
• Prepare pupils for the next stage of their education in history
• Help pupils to develop their historical thinking skills, such as the ability to analyse, evaluate, and interpret evidence

Key Stage 3 history is taught through a variety of methods, including:

• Direct instruction: Teachers may provide explicit instruction on a particular historical concept or period

• Guided practice: Pupils may work together on activities under the guidance of a teacher

• Independent practice: Pupils may work on activities independently to practice their history skills

• Sourcework: Pupils may analyse and interpret historical sources, such as documents, artifacts, and images

• Enquiry: Pupils may carry out historical enquiries to investigate a particular historical question or issue

• ICT: ICT can be used to support the teaching and learning of history in a variety of ways, such as through the use of online resources, simulations, and historical databases

The assessment of Key Stage 3 history is a continuous process that involves formative and summative assessment.

• Formative assessment: Formative assessment is used to provide feedback to pupils on their progress and to identify any areas where they may need additional support. Formative assessment can take a variety of forms, such as teacher observations, pupil self-assessment, and peer assessment

• Summative assessment: Summative assessment is used to measure pupils’ overall achievement at the end of Key Stage 3. Summative assessment takes the form of a statutory national assessment in history

Key Stage 3 history is an important part of the education system. It helps pupils to develop a critical understanding of the past and to learn from the experiences of others. It also prepares pupils for the next stage of their education in history and for the challenges of the 21st-century world.