Examining the events that shaped our world
History is fascinating, so our aim is more than just strong exam results. We want pupils to love studying the past and to benefit from it throughout their lives.
It helps to develop vital life skills such as independent research, considered analysis of evidence and clear communication of persuasive argument. History provides us with the contextual basis for understanding the world today.
One of the most popular choices for GCSE and A-level, a healthy number of leavers also opt to read history at university, including Oxbridge.
“If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.”
Department Overview
In Year 9, we study the First World War, Votes for Women, the Russian Revolution, 1920s USA and a brief introduction to the Second World War. It is a really interesting and diverse course that develops an understanding of many of the major events that have shaped the present day and sets pupils up with historical skills and context for GCSE.
For IGCSE, we move on to study ‘The development of dictatorship: Germany 1918-1945’, ‘Divided Union: USA 1945-1974’, ‘The Vietnam War 1945-1975’ and ‘China 1900-1989’. At IGCSE results are strong with on average a third of pupils being awarded the highest grade of a 9, and over two-thirds scoring grades 9-7.
At A-level, pupils are examined on the English civil wars and the USA in the 19th century. The linear A-level works well and allows individual research into the fascinating topic of the development of American civil rights 1880-1965 for coursework. Again, results are very pleasing with 90% of pupils in June 2023 securing grades A*-B. Many pupils go on to study history or history related courses at Russell Group universities.
Beyond the Classroom
The department runs a number of trips each year. In the past these have included visits to Germany, the USA and the battlefields of northern France and Belgium.
