How many hours of history p/w in Yr 9?

[camicaze]

I know this is a Mums forum but I don't belong to any teacher ones and just need a bit of info.
I teach history and we currently have two 35 minute periods a week in Yr 9 per class. The KS3 curriculum at our school is under review and I'd like to get more time for history. Is there anyone out there that can tell me how much time a week is spent on History in Yr 9 at your/your d/c's school?
I'd be very grateful for any responses!

[Docbunches]

My DD is in Y9 and has 4 x 30 mins per week for History, but at her school, KS4 options start in Y9.

In Y7 and Y8, DD had 3 x 30 mins for History, same for Geography.

It sounds like you could do with a bit more time!

[thetasigmamum]

My DD is in Y8, but at her school they start KS4 in Y9, so by this point she is doing Y9 work. They operate a fortnightly timetable, and over the fortnight they have 3 history lessons, two of 75 mins and one of 65 mins.

[roisin]

Good luck with that!

The boys school have 50 min lessons. They have:
yr7 - 1 lesson
yr8 - 2 lessons
yr9 - 1 lesson

At my school we have 1 hr lessons. They have:
yr7 - 1 lesson
yr8 - 1 lesson
yr9 - 1 lesson

In KS4 they have 2 hrs per week only.

[mnistooaddictive]

I think you hav about the average already. You would have to have a very good argument for more time.

[circular]

DD1 (in YR9, still taking all subjects))has a timetable of 5 x 1hr lessons per day.

That's only a total of 15 slots per week for all subjects, with English, Maths and Science having at least 2 hours each, and 2 hours PE.

I cannot see how all the other subjects can fit into the 7 remaining slots - let alone any having more than one.

[basildonbond]

academically selective boys' school - 4 x 40 min lessons in fortnightly timetable, same for Geography, so pretty much what you already have, give or take a few minutes ...

[circular]

sorry- got that completely wrong.
Total of 25 1 hour slots per week.
Will double check with DD whether it's 1 or 2 hours for history.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

DD1 has three 50-min sessions per fortnight. So only 5 minutes more than you. I think it sucks. At least she is fortunate enough to be taught by a trained history teacher, rather than an RE or Geography teacher as some of her friends do.
No wonder GCSE History take up is so low.

[circular]

Just to confirm, DD1 has 2 x 1 hour History lessons per week.
Same for Geography, MFL & PE.
Core subjects have 3 x 1 hour, all other subjects 1 hour per week.

So that's twice as much as you - but looks like we are in the minority.

[roisin]

I'm really intrigued by this now. LGP and circular, if they have that amount for History, what is being squeezed out? Do they still do arts subjects?

ds1 (yr9) has 50 min lessons. He is taught by specialist teachers for all subjects, not just 'humanities teachers' or whatever.
4 English
4 Science
4 Maths
1 History
1 Geography
1 RE
1 Citizenship
3 MFL (spread over two languages)
1 Dance
2 Drama
1 Art
1 Music
2 Tech
2 PE
2 IT

Of the arts and humanities subjects (+IT) for 1yr of KS3 he's had 2 lessons per week, then 1 lesson forthe other 2 yrs.
yr7 - 2 hrs history and 2 hrs music
yr8 - 2 hrs geography and 2 hrs dance
yr9 - 2 hrs IT and 2 hrs drama

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

Hmm, Roisin, will have to look at DD1's planner to see how it compares. They work on a two-week cycle so off the top of my head looking at your DS's timetable she probably has less IT and Dance is done within PE - other than that I am not sure what is different.

[circular]

Roisin - same as LGP re the Dance.

From memory,
Only 1 drama.
2 x MFL - 2 languages, alternating termly.
1 x IT
3 x English, Maths & Science
2 x History
2 x Geography

1 x food or textiles tech
1 x Design tech
1 x Music
1 x Art
2 x PE
1 x RE
1 X PSEC

This is 25 x 1 hour instead of 30 x 50mins.

[circular]

Roisin - just curious, does your school have a Performing Arts specialism by any chance - Hence the extra Drama and Dance?

One of the specialisms at DDs school is Humanities, so this could explain why the extra Hisory or Geography. Apparantly, it is not unusual for there to be 3 or 4 GCSE Geography groups across ~189 pupils.

[roisin]

Yes, it is Performing Arts specialism, hence the emphasis on music/art/dance/drama.

My boys aren't particularly PA-oriented (though ds2 does sing), but it's great for them to have exposure to these areas.

Everything's swings and roundabouts, isn't it? A bit less MFL, a bit more history; a bit more drama, a bit less geography.

I am just grateful we still have a 3yr KS3, so they have the opportunity of studying a wide variety of subjects, rather than specialising early.

I know more and more schools are doing options in yr8, then they start GCSE courses at the beginning of yr9.

[circular]

Yes, also grateful for 3yr KS3.

Unfortunately expect change before DD2 (currently yr3) gets there though.

[Decorhate]

OP - if you ever come back to this thread could you recommend any books or revision guides for my child in Y9? (or anyone else who wants to give advice!)

For some reason, which I have been unable to unravel, she has made virtually no progress (in terms of KS3 levels) since she started secondary school in History or Geography.

I want to start doing some work with her at home but will need some textbooks & am a bit overwhelmed by the choice on Amazon...

[maddy68]

You could make an argument for more time due to the new Government criteria who require a humanity at GCSE

[sharbie]

dd yr 9 and 2 x 50 min lessons in history p w.
she has taken it a yr early as a gcse option.

[roisin]

ds will have 3 x 50 min lesson a week in KS4 for history as an option subject.

[amerryscot]

My DDs have a double lesson (2x40) per week in KS3.

[TheMonster]

2 x 50 mins in my school.

[londonmackem]

Under the new curriculum review History will get more time, I have no doubt. It is a good time to make your voice heard!

I think 2x 50 mins is about average in all years at KS3 unless your school runs integrated curriculum

[MentalFloss]

DD is in Year 10 and has a 2 week timetable and every lesson is an hour and she has 5 hours a fortnight of history (as an option)

Last year she had 2 lessons a week of History.

My DS in Y7 has 3 lessons a fortnight but this goes up to 4 in Y8/Y9