History | St Ciaran's College

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Members of Department

Mrs B. Cleary (Head of Department)

Mrs M. Kerr

Mrs F. McGirr

Mr B. Rodgers

Mrs D. Ruddy

Key Stage 3

Pupils in each year group develop their knowledge and understanding of the past through the development of source analysis skills. There is also a strong focus on Citizenship in Key Stage 3, which is embedded into the curriculum.

Year 8

Pupils complete an introduction to History in which they are introduced to key concepts and historical skills. Pupils then carry out a detailed study of Norman Ireland. The year finishes with the Black Death.

Year 9

Pupils carry out major investigations into the significance of Henry VIII, the Ulster Plantation and the Great Famine in Ireland.

Year 10

The twentieth century is the focus of Year 10. Pupils research key events and then carry out an in-depth study of the Holocaust. This is followed by a study of the causes of the partition of Ireland which leads on to Ireland since partition.

Key Stage 4

Pupils are prepared for the CCEA GCSE examination.

In Year 11, pupils study Germany 1933-1945 and N. Ireland 1965-1998. These topics are then assessed in GCSE Paper I at the end of Year 11.This is worth 60% of the overall GCSE.

In Year 12, pupils study International Relations 1945-2003. This is assessed in an examination at the end of Year 12, worth 40% of the overall GCSE.

Key Stage 5

AS History in Year 13 is worth 40% of the A-level. Pupils study two modules: Germany 1919–45 and Russia 1914–41 Both are assessed in examinations at the end of Year 13. Both modules are worth 50% of the AS grade.
In Year 14, pupils study a further two modules. The American Presidency 1901–2000 which is worth 20% of the overall A-level and The Partition of Ireland, 1900-25 which is has a weighting of 40% of the overall grade.