History
Summary
The study of History gives the opportunity for everyone to have an insight into the past, an understanding of the present and a spotlight on the future. Through the study of the past, a knowledge of what has shaped our present world can be built. The skills acquired through the study of History are also important for personal development not only intellectually, but also for gaining important skills for use in any career or profession that requires information to be processed and persuasive arguments and presentations made.
There is an emphasis on History as fun - finding out facts, gaining understanding and developing narrative skills. By learning how to construct an argument that is concise, precise and backed by facts and opinions, pupils are encouraged to develop their own ideas and so acquire the higher learning skills necessary for academic study at all levels.
Years 7-9
All pupils study History in Years 7 – 9. In years 7 and 8 the emphasis is on English History from the Saxons, Normans, Tudors, Stuarts and Georgians to the Victorians. In Year 9, Britain and the World Wars and the post war world give a wider perspective of how History has shaped our current world. We investigate the lives of Kings, Queens and people. We look at how life has changed for ordinary people, how they were punished and what they believed, as well as wars and battle at home and abroad.
Years 10 and 11 (GCSE)
This study is further developed as a GCSE option, where depth studies are undertaken in British Society at the start of the Twentieth Century, the development of the Cold War, Russia and Germany. Students are introduced to source investigation work and encouraged to interpret visual and written material in a critical and analytical way.
History A Level
At A Level the role of the individual in History is explored through case studies of Winston Churchill, Benito Mussolini and Margaret Thatcher. An extended essay component also gives the opportunity for study of a personal interest and enthusiasm. As broader study, the Changing Nature of Warfare gives the opportunity to discuss the changes of generalship, tactics and technology from the eighteenth to the twentieth Century. The opinions of different historians are studied to challenge and inform the ideas of our students.
To give a wider perspective of topics visits are arranged to local sites and museums and lectures by leading professors and visiting speakers are part of study at A Level.
