History Department

History Department - Foyle College
“
History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again
” — Maya Angelou

Welcome to the History Department

The History Department at Foyle College is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of the past to illuminate the present. We encourage students to develop analytical skills, challenge interpretations, and appreciate the complexities of human history across local and global contexts.

Year 8 Foundations

  • Skills in History
  • The Romans
  • The Normans

Enrichment

Archive visit & School Treasure Hunt

Year 9 Expansion

  • Age of Discovery
  • Spanish Armada
  • Siege of Derry

Enrichment

Siege Trail - Walls & Museum Tour

Year 10 Conflict

  • Union to Partition
  • World War One

Enrichment

Archive Visit & Somme Heritage Centre

GCSE

Pupils follow the CCEA History specification. The course provides a broad, coherent, and practical course that enables pupils to develop a positive view of and confidence in History.

Unit 1

Year 11

Modern World Studies

  • Germany 1933-1945 Life in Nazi Germany, control, opposition, and the impact of war.
  • Changing Relationships Britain, Northern Ireland, and Ireland (1965-1998).

Assessment: 1 hour 45 mins (60% of GCSE)

Unit 2

Year 12

International Relations

  • Cold War 1945-2003 Superpower tensions, key conflicts, and the changing world order.

Assessment: 1 hour 15 mins (40% of GCSE)

A-Level

The department follows the CCEA GCE History specification. This qualification gives pupils a deeper knowledge and understanding of political and social history.

AS Level

Year 13

40% of A-Level

Module 1: Germany 1919-1945

Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany.

Module 2: Russia 1914-1941

Revolution and the Stalinist State.

A2 Level

Year 14

60% of A-Level

Module 1: Ireland 1800-1900

Ireland under the Union.

Module 2: Partition 1900-1925

The Partition of Ireland.

Careers Where History is Valuable

History develops a wide range of valuable skills that are highly transferable to various careers, including analytical skills, research abilities, and communication.

Law

Analytical skills and constructing arguments.

Journalism & Media

Research and producing well-informed content.

Public Sector

Policy-making and diplomatic awareness.

Heritage & Museum

Preserving and interpreting history.

Politics

Understanding global affairs and international relations.

Business & Marketing

Research skills and strategy development.

History Department

History

Department Details

Head of Department

Mrs M Dougherty

Subject Teachers

  • Mrs M Dougherty
  • Mrs C Robinson
  • Mr B Quigley

GCSE Board

CCEA

A-Level Board

CCEA

VISIT CCEA WEBSITE