What makes us passionate about our subject? 

History is an inherently fascinating subject. Its scope is vast and encompasses every kind of human endeavour and experience. The curriculum aims to inspire curiosity and equip students with the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful and informed individuals. One of the most powerful impacts of the subject is its ability to help students to understand the world around them at different levels, considering local, national and international perspectives. At times, this will involve a focused exploration of a specific time or place but it is also crucial that students are able to build meaningful connections across history. Through a study of a range of historical periods and a consideration of different perspectives, students will be better equipped to understand their own place in the world and how we got to where we are today.  

Whilst studying the past, students should develop an understanding of how that knowledge is debated and constructed, identifying that the discipline depends upon interpretation. Appreciating that historians construct the past through their own engagement with evidence will encourage students to develop their own abilities to explore visual and written sources and interpretations. As such, students will develop the skills to think critically and gain an in-depth understanding of the world around them. The subject is thus pivotal in the development of key life skills but History is equally enriching in its ability to provide an engaging and thought-provoking story. 

What do our students gain by studying our subject? 

In the course of studying History, students will quickly come to understand that virtually every meaningful statement about the past is contested. Indeed, the 'facts' themselves are often disputed and certainly any conclusions that are built on them will be open to debate. History students are therefore encouraged to think critically. They will begin to understand that the merit of an argument depends not only on the facts but the interpretation of these. By carefully unpicking preconceptions and scaffolding the skills required to do this, students of history should develop the ability to think deeply about issues, to probe and challenge the thinking and assumptions of others and construct their own persuasive views based on reason and evidence. The skills of a historian are transferable to many contexts and such a critical mind is also of increasing value in a world that is now saturated by information and misinformation.   

That is not to say, however, that the knowledge itself doesn't have value. A good story remains a good story, and articulating it is a skill in itself, even if it is primarily a hook to lead students to develop the skills outlined above. It is true too that understanding how History has shaped the local landscape can help with comprehension of their immediate place in the world. Yet the knowledge gleaned also teaches an appreciation of the development of values and allows for the exploration of real examples to underpin the importance of these. One might point to modern notions of equality, parliamentary democracy or the rule of law. In addition, history students are sensitive to cultural and religious difference and are better able to celebrate these differences whilst identifying similarities in the shared human experience. Lessons provide a platform to express and formulate personal opinions whilst also exploring the thoughts of others, lending itself to various debates about ideas and events of the past and present. A student of history therefore better understands the world, their place in it and the place of others. 

HISTORY CURRICULUM map and assessment

Lower School – Years 7 and 8 

All students study History in the lower school. They are taught for two hours a week in Year 7 and have one hour of History in Year 8. The curriculum is broadly chronological and considers elements of both British and world history from 1066 to the 21st century. 

History GCSE 

All those who opt to take GCSE History follow the AQA specification. The specific optional units covered are: 'Britain: Health and the People', 'Restoration England: 1660-1685', 'Germany 1890-1945' and 'Conflict and tension between East and West 1945-72.' 

To visit the examination board website click: GCSE History 8145 | Specification | AQA

History A Level 

At A Level we follow the AQA specification. The specific units studied are 'The Tudors: England 1485-1603' (Unit 1C) and 'Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia 1917-1953' (Unit 2N). There will also be a single 4,500 word piece of coursework, completed in Year 13. 

To visit the examination board website: A-level History 7042 | Specification | Specification At A Glance | AQA