In the History department at Stradbroke Business and Enterprise College we aim to give pupils a varied and exciting curriculum. The humanities department as a whole is extremely well equipped. The department includes interactive whiteboards in each of the 3 classrooms and 30 wireless notebook computers. This technology, alongside a wide variety of modern textbooks and innovative resources are consistently used to deliver varied and exciting schemes of work.

During Key Stage 3, pupils study a variety of time periods and famous events. Each topic studied has an enquiry question that focuses learning and encourages development of historical skills. Year 7 begins with a skills module, introducing the key skills required to succeed in history. Other events studied include the Battle of Hastings, Medieval Medicine and Power in England. Year 8 pupils study a variety of topics including the Slave Trade, the Gunpowder Plot, the Fire of London and the Plague, and the English Civil War. In Year 9 pupils study a twentieth century based programme which includes World War I and World War II, the Holocaust and a new module that compares teenagers in the twentieth century.

At Key Stage 4 the school follows the AQA History B specification which includes controlled assessment. Unit 1, which is followed in Year 10, is comprised of 3 different units. Year 10s study ‘The Origins of the First World War,’ ‘Peacemaking 1918-19 and the League of Nations’ and ‘The Origins of the Cold War, 1945-55.’ Unit 1 is 37 ½ % of the History GCSE, and the exam is taken in the June of Year 10.

The controlled assessment is started after the Year 10 exam and is continued into the autumn term of Year 11. The controlled assessment is a source-based written task based upon ‘The Changing Role and Status of Women in Britain since 1900.’ Research is undertaken in lessons before the answers are written in class under controlled conditions. The controlled assessment unit is 25% of the History GCSE.

Unit 2 is studied in Year 11 after the completion of the Controlled Assessment. Unit 2 is comprised of 3 units. Pupils will study ‘The Roaring 20’s,’ ‘Hitler’s Germany’ and ‘The Vietnam War.’ Unit 2 is also 37 ½ % of the History GCSE, and the exam is taken in the June of Year 11.