Vision
To broaden our students’ intellectual horizons, nurturing knowledgeable, open-minded and respectful young adults who appreciate the complexity and diversity of the origins of the modern world. We strive to develop their literacy, oracy and power skills so they can confidently articulate and engage with historical ideas.
Intent
We empower our students to become inquisitive, lifelong learners equipped with the skills and knowledge required to critically analyse and understand the world around them, both in the physical environment and through various media channels. Such skills enable our students to question the reliability and bias of information to help them evaluate the credibility of modern information, enabling them to identify ‘fake news’ and make informed decisions in a complex and everchanging media landscape. History at Magna is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the wide range of perspectives and lived experiences from the past, encouraging acceptance and respect through enhanced historical literacy.
Our curriculum fosters oracy skills by encouraging discussion, debate and presentation, enabling students to express historical viewpoints clearly and confidently. We place great emphasis on the real-life application of historical skills, showing students how to interpret sources and evidence, develop enquiry questions, and draw conclusions that are relevant beyond the classroom. We also believe that it is our duty to provide students with the skills and knowledge to understand current global events which will impact on their daily lives.
The Magna History curriculum also aims to challenge student misconceptions and encourages a balanced, objective understanding of the past. It does this by exploring multiple geographic locations and time periods to understand the connecting history of the world, engaging with diverse perspectives to foster critical thinking and empathy—core power skills essential for personal and professional success. Our students gain insight into how the history of Poole and Dorset connects with broader national and global events studied at Key Stage 3, embedding historical knowledge within their local context and enhancing their sense of identity and place.
The History curriculum is designed to extend our pupils’ intellectual horizons, creating knowledgeable, accepting and respectful young adults, who understand the root of people’s differences. Our pupils are immersed in knowledge, which allows them to develop a secure understanding of English, British and world history until the present day. Students study history chronologically, beginning with prehistoric England, through medieval life, Britain’s changing role in the world, and culminating with the conflicts and changes of the 21st century that continue to shape the world we live in today. The curriculum is taught through a range of high-order concepts such as, cause and consequence, change and continuity, significance, interpretations and source enquiry. We aim to both proactively and responsively challenge every student appropriate to their starting point and believe all students should have access to a breadth of knowledge.
Alongside disciplinary knowledge, our curriculum equips students with transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication and problem solving, that prepare them for the demands of the 21st century workplace. Clear links to career pathways supported by historical knowledge and skills are made, helping students understand the relevance of history to futures in fields such as law, politics, education, journalism, and heritage management.
Beyond the classroom, the History department enriches learning through extra-curricular opportunities such as school-wide competitions, educational visits, and engagement with professional historians—most notably through participation in the Chalke Valley History Festival. These experiences further develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Implementation
At Magna Academy, History is a compulsory subject until the end of Year 9. Our dedicated and expert teachers ensure that every student makes progress academically, while also developing global awareness and historical understanding.
Students engage with a diverse range of historical sources and interpretations, fostering critical thinking and evaluative skills. We actively address and correct common misconceptions, especially around British Imperialism, the Holocaust, and medieval life, to promote a balanced and informed worldview.
Our assessment framework ensures that students recall and build upon prior learning from Key Stages 3 and 4, reinforcing knowledge retention. Knowledge organisers support the acquisition of essential facts, while explicit teaching of tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary strengthens students’ literacy, enabling them to communicate complex historical ideas effectively. We are dedicated to supporting students in achieving excellent exam results through high-quality teaching, tailored feedback, and targeted revision sessions designed to boost confidence and performance. A wide range of carefully curated resources is provided to help students excel, including revision guides, practice papers, and access to digital learning platforms like Kerboddle. Beyond academic success, the department aims to inspire a lasting passion for the subject, encouraging students to become lifelong historians. Through engaging lessons, enrichment opportunities, and expert guidance, the department nurtures curiosity and critical thinking, preparing students not only for A Levels and higher education but also for a future where historical understanding is key to becoming informed and reflective individuals.
History Curriculum Overview
History Age Related Expectations
Impact
Students progress in their understanding of key historical concepts including cause and consequence, change and continuity, interpretation, source analysis, and historical literacy. These skills are interwoven into enquiry-based assessments that measure understanding and progression accurately throughout the academic year. The culmination of the History curriculum enables students to leave Magna equipped not only with a rich knowledge of the past but also with the power skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and deep learning. Thus, confident in their ability to apply historical understanding to today’s societal challenges and individual future career opportunities.