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United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets

Year 11 History

Key Stage 4 GCSE History Year 11: a comprehensive study of Weimar and Nazi Germany, the Cold War, and Elizabethan England, focusing on depth studies, thematic changes, and rigorous exam preparation.

1 units·72 topics·Ages 15-16

01The Weimar Republic 1918–1929

72 topics·Autumn Term

The challenges faced by the new German democracy following the First World War and its brief period of stability.

Treaty of Versailles: Impact on Weimar

Analysing the immediate political and economic impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the nascent Weimar Republic.

Document MysteryFormal Debate
Weimar Constitution and Early Challenges

Examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution and the initial political landscape.

Concept MappingSocratic Seminar
Spartacist Uprising & Freikorps

Investigating the early political violence, including the Spartacist Uprising and the role of the Freikorps.

Case Study AnalysisRole Play
The Kapp Putsch and Right-Wing Threats

Examining the Kapp Putsch and other right-wing challenges to the Weimar Republic's authority.

Document MysteryPhilosophical Chairs
Ruhr Occupation and Hyperinflation

Investigating the French occupation of the Ruhr and the devastating economic crisis of hyperinflation in 1923.

Simulation GameCase Study Analysis
The Munich Putsch 1923

Examining Hitler's attempted coup in Bavaria and its immediate aftermath.

Mock TrialTimeline Challenge
Stresemann's Economic Reforms

Evaluating Gustav Stresemann's role in stabilising the German economy through the Rentenmark and Dawes Plan.

Expert PanelDecision Matrix
Stresemann's Foreign Policy

Analysing Germany's return to international diplomacy with the Locarno Pact and League of Nations entry.

JigsawSocratic Seminar
The Young Plan and Reparations

Examining the Young Plan and its attempt to further restructure Germany's reparations payments.

Document MysteryDecision Matrix
The 'Golden Age' of Weimar Culture

Exploring the vibrant cultural and artistic developments during the mid-1920s in Germany.

Gallery WalkWorld Café
Great Depression's Impact on Germany

The economic collapse following the Wall Street Crash and its profound political fallout in Germany.

Decision MatrixSocratic Seminar
Nazi Ideology and Early Growth

Exploring the core tenets of Nazi ideology and the party's growth before 1929.

Concept MappingDocument Mystery
Nazi Propaganda Techniques

The role of Joseph Goebbels and the innovative propaganda strategies used by the Nazis.

Gallery WalkStructured Academic Controversy
The SA and Political Violence

Examining the role of the SA (Brownshirts) in intimidating political opponents and creating an atmosphere of fear.

Role PlayCase Study Analysis
Hindenburg, Papen, and Schleicher

The complex political manoeuvres involving President Hindenburg and his chancellors.

Simulation GameHot Seat
Hitler Becomes Chancellor

Examining the final steps that led to Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933.

Decision MatrixDocument Mystery
The Reichstag Fire Decree

The exploitation of the Reichstag Fire to suspend civil liberties and consolidate Nazi power.

Mock TrialChalk Talk
The Enabling Act 1933

Investigating how the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to rule by decree, effectively ending democracy.

Document MysteryPhilosophical Chairs
Night of the Long Knives

Examining the purge of the SA leadership and other political opponents in June 1934.

Case Study AnalysisSocratic Seminar
Death of Hindenburg & Führer

The death of President Hindenburg and Hitler's assumption of the title of Führer.

Timeline ChallengeThink-Pair-Share
The SS and Gestapo

The roles of the SS and Gestapo in maintaining terror and suppressing dissent.

Stations RotationConcept Mapping
Concentration Camps Pre-1939

The evolution of the concentration camp system before the outbreak of World War II.

Experiential LearningDocument Mystery
Propaganda and Censorship

The pervasive use of propaganda and strict censorship to control information and shape public opinion.

Gallery WalkStructured Academic Controversy
Youth Indoctrination: Hitler Youth

The role of the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls in indoctrinating young people.

Role PlayFour Corners
Women's Role: Kinder, Küche, Kirche

The Nazi policy towards women, promoting traditional roles and discouraging female employment.

Philosophical ChairsFormal Debate
Economic Recovery and Rearmament

Hitler's economic policies, including the RAD and DAF, aimed at reducing unemployment and rearming Germany.

Case Study AnalysisThink-Pair-Share
Strength Through Joy (KdF)

The 'Strength through Joy' (KdF) programme and its role in controlling workers' leisure time.

Gallery WalkJigsaw
The Concordat and Catholic Church

The relationship between the Nazi regime and the Catholic Church, including the 1933 Concordat.

Document MysteryPhilosophical Chairs
Protestant Church and Resistance

Examining the Nazi's attempts to control the Protestant Church and the emergence of resistance.

Case Study AnalysisSocratic Seminar
Persecution of Minorities

The Nazi persecution of groups such as Roma, homosexuals, and the disabled before WWII.

Document MysteryFour Corners
Nuremberg Laws 1935

Investigating the Nuremberg Laws and their impact on Jewish people in Germany.

Structured Academic ControversyTimeline Challenge
Kristallnacht 1938

Examining the 'Night of Broken Glass' and its escalation of violence against Jews.

Case Study AnalysisDocument Mystery
Yalta and Potsdam Conferences

Examining the post-WWII conferences and the initial breakdown of the Grand Alliance.

Expert PanelConcept Mapping
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

The US policy of containment and economic aid to counter Soviet influence.

Simulation GameDecision Matrix
The 'Iron Curtain' and Division of Europe

Winston Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech and the political division of Europe.

Socratic SeminarDocument Mystery
Berlin Blockade and Airlift

The first major flashpoint of the Cold War in divided Germany, 1948-1949.

Role PlayTimeline Challenge
Formation of NATO and Warsaw Pact

The creation of opposing military alliances in Europe.

Concept MappingFormal Debate
The Korean War 1950-1953

Examining the causes, course, and consequences of the Korean War as a proxy conflict.

Case Study AnalysisJigsaw
The Hungarian Uprising 1956

Investigating the Hungarian Uprising and the Soviet response, highlighting superpower spheres of influence.

Document MysteryPhilosophical Chairs
The Berlin Wall 1961

The construction of the Berlin Wall and its significance as a symbol of Cold War division.

Timeline ChallengeGallery Walk
The Cuban Missile Crisis: Causes

Investigating the reasons behind Khrushchev's decision to place missiles in Cuba.

Document MysteryCase Study Analysis
The Cuban Missile Crisis: Resolution

Thirteen days on the brink of nuclear war and the diplomatic resolution.

Simulation GameDecision Matrix
US Involvement in Vietnam

The increasing US involvement in Vietnam from the 1950s to the mid-1960s.

Gallery WalkStructured Academic Controversy
The Tet Offensive and US Withdrawal

The Tet Offensive's impact on American public opinion and the eventual US withdrawal.

Formal DebateSocratic Seminar
Détente: Easing of Tensions

The period of Détente in the 1970s, including SALT treaties and improved relations.

Hexagonal ThinkingJigsaw
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Examining the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and its impact on Détente.

Case Study AnalysisDocument Mystery
Reagan, Gorbachev and the End of Cold War

The roles of Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in bringing about the end of the Cold War.

Expert PanelFormal Debate
Fall of the Berlin Wall and USSR

The symbolic fall of the Berlin Wall and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

Timeline ChallengeSocratic Seminar
Elizabeth's Religious Settlement 1559

The Elizabethan 'Middle Way' and its attempt to create religious stability.

Philosophical ChairsStructured Academic Controversy
Puritan Challenge to the Settlement

The nature and extent of the Puritan opposition to Elizabeth's religious policies.

Formal DebateCase Study Analysis
Catholic Challenge and Papal Bull

The Catholic threat, including the Papal Bull of Excommunication and missionary priests.

Document MysterySocratic Seminar
Mary, Queen of Scots: Arrival and Threat

Mary, Queen of Scots' arrival in England and the initial threat she posed to Elizabeth.

Hot SeatRole Play
Catholic Plots Against Elizabeth

Examining the Ridolfi, Throckmorton, and Babington Plots involving Mary, Queen of Scots.

Document MysteryMock Trial
Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

The trial and execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, and its consequences.

Fishbowl DiscussionSocratic Seminar
Causes of the Spanish Armada

The underlying and immediate causes that led Philip II to launch the Armada.

Concept MappingFormal Debate
Events of the Spanish Armada

The key events of the Armada campaign in 1588, from sailing to defeat.

Simulation GameTimeline Challenge
Consequences of the Spanish Armada

The long-term impact of the Armada's failure on England and Spain.

JigsawExpert Panel
Elizabethan Society and Poverty

Examining the social structure of Elizabethan England and the challenges of poverty.

Concept MappingFour Corners
Exploration and the New World

The motivations and early attempts at English exploration and colonisation in the New World.

Trading CardsCase Study Analysis
Francis Drake and Circumnavigation

Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe and his role as a privateer.

Timeline ChallengeRole Play
Medieval Beliefs about Disease

The dominant theories of disease causation in the Middle Ages, including the Four Humours.

Stations RotationRole Play
Medieval Treatments and Public Health

Common treatments, the role of apothecaries, and early public health measures.

Document MysteryGallery Walk
The Black Death and its Impact

The causes, spread, and profound social and economic consequences of the Black Death.

Case Study AnalysisSocratic Seminar
Renaissance Anatomy: Vesalius

Andreas Vesalius's groundbreaking work in anatomy and challenging Galen.

Expert PanelThink-Pair-Share
Circulation of Blood: Harvey

William Harvey's discovery of the circulation of blood and its impact on physiology.

Gallery WalkConcept Mapping
Ambroise Pare and Surgery

Ambroise Pare's innovations in surgery and wound treatment.

Case Study AnalysisRole Play
Industrial Revolution and Public Health

The impact of industrialisation on urban health and early attempts at reform.

Stations RotationGraffiti Wall
John Snow and Cholera

John Snow's investigation into the Broad Street pump and the cause of Cholera.

Document MysterySimulation Game
Pasteur's Germ Theory

Louis Pasteur's groundbreaking Germ Theory and its revolutionising impact on medicine.

Case Study AnalysisSocratic Seminar
Robert Koch and Bacteriology

Robert Koch's work in identifying specific bacteria and developing vaccines.

Expert PanelJigsaw
Anaesthetics: Simpson and Ether

The development and acceptance of anaesthetics, particularly by James Simpson.

Formal DebateDocument Mystery
Antiseptics: Lister and Carbolic Acid

Joseph Lister's pioneering work with antiseptics and its impact on surgical mortality.

Case Study AnalysisThink-Pair-Share