Courses - S1

During their first year in History pupils will cover a wide variety of different topics to develop their understanding and knowledge of history and its impact on the world around us. They include:

• What is History? – this topic focuses on the basics of history, such as chronology, primary and secondary sources, and why studying the subject allows us to gain a better understanding of the world we live in today.
• The Vikings – we learn about the Vikings way of life including their traditions and culture. Also, we focus on their adventures in Scotland and the impact they had on our culture.
• The Romans – this topic looks at the impact the Romans had on Europe and, in particular Britain . We examine the ways in which they integrated their customs and lifestyle into our country, the role of the Roman Army and city life in Rome itself.
• Investigation – The Death of Napoleon – this unit allows pupils' to investigate the mysterious death of Napoleon. By using primary and secondary sources pupils' will report on their findings and come to their own conclusions of what really happened.

Courses - S2

When the pupils enter into second year, the pupils concentrate mainly on Scottish history. Each Scottish Unit is designed to build on previous units of work, allowing pupils to gain a deeper understanding of their own identity and cultural background. The topics we study are:

• The Highlands in the18th Century – this first unit introduces pupils' to the culture and lifestyle of the Scottish Highlanders of the 18 th century.
• Glencoe - this topic examines the strained relationship between the highland clans and the Monarchy. In particular, we focus on the harrowing consequences this had which culminated in the ‘Massacre of Glencoe'.
• The Darien Adventure – here pupils investigate Scotland 's attempt at establishing a colony in Central America . We look at the reasons for its failure and consequences it had for the Scottish nation.
• The Act of Union – this topic aims to develop pupils' understanding of the reasons behind the Union of the Scottish and the English Parliaments, and the problems it caused.
• Jacobites and the ‘45 – this unit focuses on Bonnie Prince Charlie's bid to reclaim the British throne for his father. We investigate the Jacobite campaign of 1745-46, culminating in the Battle of Culloden.
• The Swinging Sixties – this topic allows pupils to investigate the 1960s and develop an understanding of the major changes that occurred during this decade. Here we focus on a variety of topics such as music and fashion, the Space Race, the assassination of President John F Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement.