Year 10
Investigating Change
Through Time
In Year 10, pupils begin their historical journey by exploring the topic Changes in Medicine and Health in Britain c.500 to the Present Day. This thematic study allows students to investigate the causes, treatments, and prevention of disease across centuries. Topics range from the superstitions of medieval medicine to the development of antibiotics, modern surgery, and the founding of the NHS. Students evaluate how key individuals, scientific breakthroughs, and social changes shaped public health and medical knowledge.
Later in the year, attention turns to the reign of Elizabeth I in The Elizabethan Age 1558 to 1603. Students assess the success of Elizabeth’s government, the religious challenges she faced, and the contrasting lifestyles of the rich and poor. The course also explores Elizabethan entertainment, threats from Catholics and Puritans, and the enduring legacy of events such as the Spanish Armada. This depth study encourages pupils to consider how individuals and events shaped the Tudor period, fostering a deeper understanding of political power, religion, and society in Early Modern England
Year 11
Power, Conflict and the
Modern World
In Year 11, the focus shifts to more modern themes, beginning with the depth study Germany in Transition 1919 to 1939. This module examines the challenges faced by the Weimar Republic, the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party, and how life in Nazi Germany was shaped by propaganda, economic policies, and racial ideology. Students analyse how the regime controlled Germany and the international events that contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Following this, pupils move on to The Development of the USA 1929 to 2000, a broad overview that includes the impact of the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, changes in American society, and the USA’s role in global politics during and after the Cold War. From Roosevelt’s New Deal to the Vietnam War and the fall of communism, students explore how economic, social, and political developments shaped modern America.
Throughout Year 11, students apply their knowledge and skills to exam-style questions, supported by continued revision and targeted intervention. The curriculum culminates in a strong emphasis on evaluation, source analysis, and interpretation, ensuring that all pupils are fully prepared for success in their final GCSE assessments.
Contact
The Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill
Wem
Shropshire
SY4 5UB
Tel: +44 1939 237000