This topic is to be used principally as a revision and assessment exercise to ensure the pupils have a common core of skills, and for the class teacher to explore their previous historical experience - which will be very varied!

In addition, by integrating the study of the Norman Conquest (c1063-1085) into the examples for the skills course pupils should get a strong sense of the narrative and detail of this first part of the year’s content. The basis for the course, and the focus of historical content, should be the booklet provided by ADS and exercises drawn from Culpin on the Norman Conquest and William I.

Key skills:

extraction of information from textbooks and other sources;

understanding of historical concepts and categories;

presentation of that understanding in both written and oral form (see below).

Key concepts include:

timelines, timecharts

division of history into periods, ages, eras etc & their naming

A.D., B.C.

centuries - i.e. 1187 is in the 12th century AD etc.

archaeology

artefact

primary & secondary sources

oral evidence

prehistory

chronology

anachronism

bias.

This core unit is the main focus of the year's work, with Islam as a brief contrast.

N.B. The Norman Conquest, incl the Battle of Hastings, and its impact, and the reign of William the Conqueror, incl Domesday Book are, however, the common content for the Michaelmas Term, and will be tested in the Y7 Michaelmas test.

Building on their study of the early history of Britain from KS2, pupils are introduced to the major features of Britain's mediaeval past.

The focus is on the development of the mediaeval monarchy and the way of life of the peoples of the British Isles.

The Norman Conquest, its impact & William the Conqueror to 1087

1) The development of the English mediaeval monarchy:

Relations of the monarchy with the Church, barons and people,

incl. Domesday Book, Magna Carta & other key events eg Thomas Becket, Simon de Montfort, Peasants' Revolt, Wars of the Roses etc.

The involvement of English monarchs in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France.

2) Medieval society:

The structure of mediaeval society, incl

[feudalism, the role of the Church, (both overlapping with 1 above)]

manorial life [to cover such topics as farming, crafts, domestic

architecture etc. (to be the content of the extended exercise)]

towns and trade (with some focus on the growth of mediaeval London);

Health and disease, incl the Black Death;

Muhammad’s World (very brief intro)

Spread of Islam; Islamic government; Islamic life

[Arts & Sciences if time].

The physical impact of the Norman Conquest;

The developing forms of castle from motte & bailey to stone concentric, their military, political and social functions, and their decline;

The changing architecture of church and cathedral, and the social role of these dominant buildings.

The coursework exercise will focus on manorial life, the exact range of topics available to be agreed at the beginning of the course amongst those teaching the year.

The Castles and Cathedrals topic culminates in the summer term visit to Rochester.