History & Social Studies
Ancient Civilizations → Modern Analysis
World Cultures•Global Events•Critical Thinking
"History teaches us who we are. Explore the past to understand the present and shape a better future."
Programme Overview
The History & Social Studies curriculum is a comprehensive eight-level programme designed to develop historical thinking and global awareness. Starting with engaging narratives about ancient civilizations at age 6, students progress through medieval worlds, age of exploration, revolutions, modern conflicts, and finally reach GCSE-level critical analysis by age 13-14.
At every stage, students analyze primary sources, understand multiple perspectives, and develop the analytical skills needed for academic success and informed citizenship.
We produce critical thinkers who understand the complexity of human societies and can engage thoughtfully with the world.
Core Progression
- Foundations (Levels 1–2)Storytelling and narrative understanding of ancient and medieval worlds.
- Core History (Levels 3–4)Understanding cause and effect in historical events.
- Intermediate History (Levels 5–6)Comprehensive source analysis and GCSE-level historical arguments.
- Advanced & Capstone (Levels 7–8)GCSE exam technique and complex historical interpretation.
History at a Glance
| Lvl | Age | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6-7 | Ancient Civilizations & Storytelling |
| 2 | 7-8 | Medieval & Ancient Worlds |
| 3 | 8-9 | World Exploration & Empires |
| 4 | 9-10 | Industrial & Revolutionary Change |
| 5 | 10-11 | Contemporary Global Issues |
| 6 | 11-12 | Historiography & Interpretation |
| 7 | 12-13 | Source-Based Historical Arguments |
| 8 | 13-14 | Advanced Writing & Historical Analysis |
Detailed Master Plans
LEVEL 1 - Ancient Civilizations Foundations
Ancient Civilizations Foundations
Ages 6-7
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2-3 Sessions/Week | 30-40 Min/Session
Aim: To introduce young learners to history through storytelling, understanding ancient civilizations, and developing curiosity about the past through engaging narratives.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is History? | Understand past, present, timelines |
| 2 | Ancient Egypt | Pharaohs, pyramids, daily life |
| 3 | Ancient Mesopotamia | Sumerians, Babylonians, inventions |
| 4 | Ancient China | Dynasties, Great Wall, silk |
| 5 | Ancient Rome & Greece | Olympics, democracy, gladiators |
| 6 | Timeline Activities | Sequence events chronologically |
| 7 | Archaeology Basics | How we learn about the past |
| 8 | Create Your Own History | Write stories about ancient times |
LEVEL 2 - Medieval & Ancient Worlds
Medieval & Ancient Worlds
Ages 7-8
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 40 Min/Session
Aim: To expand knowledge of world civilizations, understanding medieval societies, kingdoms, exploration, and connections between different cultures.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medieval Europe | Knights, castles, feudalism |
| 2 | Islamic Golden Age | Science, mathematics, architecture |
| 3 | Medieval Asia | Samurai, Silk Road, Mongol Empire |
| 4 | African Kingdoms | Mali, Songhai, Axum civilizations |
| 5 | Early Americas | Aztecs, Mayans, Incas |
| 6 | Trade & Exploration | Merchants, explorers, connections |
| 7 | Daily Life Through History | How people lived in different times |
| 8 | Historical Artifacts | Interpret primary sources |
LEVEL 3 - World Exploration & Empires
World Exploration & Empires
Ages 8-9
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 45 Min/Session
Aim: To study the Age of Exploration, rise of empires, colonization, and how world trade networks transformed societies across continents.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Age of Exploration | Columbus, da Gama, Magellan voyages |
| 2 | European Colonization | Impact on Americas, Africa, Asia |
| 3 | Rise of European Powers | Spain, Portugal, Britain, France |
| 4 | Atlantic Trade Routes | Commerce and its consequences |
| 5 | Indigenous Peoples | Cultures impacted by exploration |
| 6 | Renaissance & Enlightenment | Art, science, new ideas |
| 7 | Global Connections | How world became interconnected |
| 8 | Primary Source Analysis | Read and interpret historical documents |
LEVEL 4 - Revolutionary & Industrial Change
Revolutionary & Industrial Change
Ages 9-10
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 45 Min/Session
Aim: To understand revolutionary movements, industrialization, nationalism, and how societies transformed through political and technological change.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Revolution | Independence, democracy, Constitution |
| 2 | French Revolution | Liberty, rights, social upheaval |
| 3 | Industrial Revolution | Factories, inventions, urbanization |
| 4 | Nationalism & Nation States | Italy, Germany, consolidation |
| 5 | Imperialism & Competition | Great Powers, colonization race |
| 6 | Slavery & Abolition | Human rights movements |
| 7 | Causes of Major Change | Economic, social, political factors |
| 8 | Document-Based Questions | Analyze multiple sources |
LEVEL 5 - Modern Era & Global Conflicts
Modern Era & Global Conflicts
Ages 10-11
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 50 Min/Session
Aim: To comprehend the modern world shaped by global conflicts, technological advancement, and social movements that define contemporary society.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | World War I Causes & Impact | Alliances, trenches, aftermath |
| 2 | Interwar Period | Economic crisis, rise of dictators |
| 3 | World War II | Global conflict, Holocaust, outcome |
| 4 | Cold War Origins | Superpowers, ideology, tensions |
| 5 | Decolonization Movements | Independence struggles, new nations |
| 6 | Civil Rights & Social Movements | Equality, justice, activism |
| 7 | Technology & Society | Industrial, digital, information age |
| 8 | Essay Writing in History | Arguments supported by evidence |
LEVEL 6 - Contemporary World & Global Issues
Contemporary World & Global Issues
Ages 11-12
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 50 Min/Session
Aim: To analyze contemporary global issues, understand diverse perspectives, and develop critical thinking about current events rooted in historical context.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cold War to Present | Superpower competition and collapse of USSR |
| 2 | Middle East Conflicts | Historical origins of modern tensions |
| 3 | Asian Economic Rise | Japan, China, emerging economies |
| 4 | African Development | Independence and modern challenges |
| 5 | Climate & Environment | Historical roots of current crisis |
| 6 | Globalization | Trade, culture, technology flows |
| 7 | Modern Social Movements | Feminism, environmentalism, rights |
| 8 | Historical Perspective on News | Apply history to current events |
LEVEL 7 - Advanced Global History & Analysis
Advanced Global History & Analysis
Ages 12-13
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 55 Min/Session
Aim: To develop sophisticated historical analysis skills, understand historiography, and evaluate multiple perspectives on complex global events.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Historiography & Perspective | How historians interpret the past |
| 2 | Economic History | Trade systems, capitalism, socialism |
| 3 | Cultural & Social History | Beliefs, traditions, daily life changes |
| 4 | Intellectual History | Ideas that shaped societies |
| 5 | Comparative Civilizations | Analyze similarities and differences |
| 6 | Technology & History | How inventions transform society |
| 7 | Cause & Effect Analysis | Complex historical causation |
| 8 | Historical Research Methods | Find, evaluate, synthesize sources |
LEVEL 8 - GCSE History & Critical Studies
GCSE History & Critical Studies
Ages 13-14
Duration / Frequency: 36 Weeks | 2 Sessions/Week | 60 Min/Session
Aim: To master GCSE History standards, analyze historical sources critically, understand diverse narratives, and develop persuasive historical arguments.
| Unit | Unit / Topic | Key Skills / Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Source Analysis Mastery | Provenance, bias, utility assessment |
| 2 | GCSE Key Topics | Medieval, early modern, modern era |
| 3 | British History in Depth | Key events, kings, revolutions |
| 4 | American History in Depth | Colonial to contemporary USA |
| 5 | Alternative Perspectives | Marginalized voices, global views |
| 6 | Essay Structure & Arguments | Thesis, evidence, counter-arguments |
| 7 | Interpretation & Debate | Historians disagree; evaluate claims |
| 8 | GCSE Exam Technique | Time management, perfect answers |
Master World History
From ancient civilizations to modern era, develop deep understanding of how societies evolved, events shaped the world, and how to think critically about history.