Year 8 topics

Topic - How did slavery begin, and who helped end slavery in Britain in 1833?

In the Autumn term the pupils in Year 8 look at how slavery started, the journey over to America and what life was like on plantations. A key component of this is looking at how the resistance movement to slavery grew, and finally led to its abolition in 1833.

Topic - Who protested for Civil Rights in the twentieth century, and were the protests successful?

Pupils also study how different people in different countries at different time periods have campaigned for equality and civil rights. Pupils evaluate how women got the vote in England, how Black Americans campaigned for more equality in America in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and how Catholics in Northern Ireland used a variety of methods to gain full equality as citizens of Northern Ireland. The role of individuals is also evaluated, people such Martin Luther King, Emily Pankhurst and Bobby Sands.

Topics - Who were the key people in the twentieth century, and what key events led to the deaths of millions?

Another topic studied is key events and people in the twentieth century. Pupils look at why Britain was involved in WW1, and what it was like to fight as a soldier in that war. The rise of Hitler is also looked at, why he was popular and what life was like in Nazi Germany for women, the young and Jewish people. How Britain was affected by WW2 is a key area of study, what rationing was like, and the different experiences of evacuees.