History

Welcome to the History Department 

The History department is committed to developing students so they can actively engage with the world around them. This is achieved by increasing their understanding of the past and how it can shape their future. Students are encouraged to become critical thinkers who are curious about the past, present and future. We apply both first and second order thinking in our lessons, always considering the causes and consequences of past actions and events. Students develop a strong sense of chronology and can identify significant turning points in our history. Students become able to recognise the importance of events and can contextualise their value to understanding current affairs and future world issues. Students become experienced at inferring purpose and meaning, giving them the skills to critically review information and reach personal judgements about historical questions and current world debates. Convincing writing is also promoted. Students will be able to write a balanced argument, judge effectively, articulate and explain their points of view. Students should leave us with a critical and problem-solving mentality, able to challenge misconceptions and false information.

Students also benefit from history by developing key transferable skills, such as communication in the written word and orally, problem-solving and analytical skills, teamworking and time management.  We also promote critical reflection and intellectual initiative to support student awareness in many other disciplines. The curriculum is designed to support students understanding of chronology and period. This shapes their understanding of change over time which in turn supports our GCSE study of Medicine since c1000. We apply a series of historical enquiries that tend to be developed over the course of an academic term, allowing students to experience three key topic studies per year in KS3. Enquiries explore second order thinking skills, allowing students to develop critical thinking and make personal judgements around historical debates.

 Mr A Mills 

Head of History