At Sir John Hunt, our history curriculum has been carefully designed to inspire students' interest in their knowledge of their local, national and international histories. Through history, students can understand their unique place within wider society and the important events which have created the culture we live in today. Through history, students will begin to understand the complex relationship between people, governments and institutions and how these relationships have changed over time. Students learn the vital skills of questioning, analysing, interpreting evidence and opinions, and understanding the concepts of significance, cause and consequence, and change and continuity, which allow them to develop their critical thinking and navigate the world around them to challenge false and misleading information. These can be transferred into post-school life for a variety of historical and non-historical careers, i.e. police, journalism, politics, teaching, and museum curating. Our curriculum is ambitious for all learners, building on knowledge and skills in chronological order to give students a sense of place and time and their position within it.

Power	Who has power and who does not? How do you get more? When does it go too far? Who was powerful and when? The use of power to change a country, society, empire or group.
Economics	Why does the economy work in a certain way, at a certain time, in a certain place, including money, land, wealth, taxation, class, and hierarchies, the economic impact of a historical situation.
Society	The lives of people in the past, individuals, and groups– including religious beliefs and values, living conditions, key technological changes, job opportunities and leisure – and social change and revolutions.
Conflict	International, political, and personal conflicts; the causes and impacts of conflict.
Skills in History	Using the skills of the historian – including causation, change and continuality, chronological analysis, evaluation of significance and interpretations, interrogation of primary sources, (CNOPC) – to make judgements about the past.

Year 7

Roman Britain – An introduction to secondary history, looking at the rise and fall of Roman Britain and the remains left behind.

Norman Conquest – An investigation into the death of Edward the Confessor and the succession to the throne, the battles, deaths, and social structures introduced by William of Normandy. 

Islamic Civilisations – The Golden Age of Islam in the Byzantine Empire, looking at the growth of maths, science, engineering and technology that changed the way we live.

Church and State – Using interpretations, films and images to investigate conflicts between King Stephan and Matilda, King Henry II and Thomas Becket and King John and the Magna Carta.

Samurai Japan – A study into the rise and fall of Samurai Japan.

Silk Roads  - An investigation into the history of and journey through the silk roads from Asia to Europe.

Black Death  - The impact of the Black Death on Medieval England, looking at causes, treatments, beliefs, and consequences of the Black Death leading to the peasant's revolt. 

Year 8

Challenges to the Catholic Church - Students learn how religion in England changed under different Tudor monarchs, exploring the reasons behind these changes and their impact on people's lives.

English Civil War - This topic helps students understand the causes, events, and consequences of the conflict between Parliament and the monarchy, and how it shaped modern Britain.

Kingdom of Benin - Students explore the rich history and culture of the Kingdom of Benin in West Africa, learning about its art, trade, leadership, and encounters with Europeans.

The Slave Trade - Learners examine the transatlantic slave trade, its human cost, and its lasting legacy, while also exploring resistance and the movement to abolish slavery and slavery in the world today.

The British Empire - This topic investigates how and why Britain expanded its empire, the experiences of people within it, and how empire has shaped the world we live in today focusing on America, Africa and India.

The Industrial Revolution - Students study how new inventions, factories, and transport transformed life in Britain, focusing on both progress and the challenges faced by workers and families.

Year 9

Democracy - Students explore the campaign for men and women’s rights to vote in Britain, focusing on the actions, impact, and legacy of the Suffragette and Suffragist movements and political activism today.

Nancy Astor - Learners discover the life and significance of Nancy Astor, the first woman to take a seat in the British Parliament, and her role in shaping political change and her impact on Plymouth.

World War I - This topic helps students understand the causes of the First World War, as well as the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the war.

The Russian Revolution - Students investigate the causes and outcomes of the Russian Revolution, exploring how it changed the government, society, and future of Russia under Stalin.

The Holocaust - Learners study the persecution and genocide of Jews and other groups under Nazi rule, focusing on the human impact, key events, and the importance of remembrance.

Plymouth in the Blitz - Students look at the local impact of World War II by exploring how Plymouth was affected by bombing, evacuation, and wartime life during the Blitz.

The Vietnam War - This topic examines the causes, events, and consequences of the Vietnam War, including the experiences of soldiers and civilians and impact of the media on the war.

Year 10

The People’s Health - Students trace how public health and medicine in Britain developed over centuries, investigating responses to disease, government action, and changing living conditions.

Viking Expansion - Learners study how the Vikings expanded across Europe from the late 8th century, looking at their raiding, trading, and settlement, as well as their cultural legacy.

History Around Us - This unit gives students the chance to investigate the local site of Devonport Dockyards from its creation in 1961 to today, asking about the typicality, diversity, importance, challenges and benefits of the site.

Year 11

Elizabethan England – Students explore the reign of Elizabeth I, examining how power, religion, society, and exploration shaped England during a time of change and challenge.

Living Under Nazi Rule – This topic helps students understand life in Nazi Germany and occupied Europe, focusing on dictatorship, propaganda, resistance, and the impact on ordinary people.