History

History is about exploring the past and the events and developments that have shaped the world of today.

All students study History in Years 7, 8 and 9. Students can choose to study History at IGCSE and IA level. We are proud of our academic success in history and our current teacher has worked in the school since 1998. In that time 95% of GCSE students have achieved A*- C grades with well over 50% achieving A* or A. 80% of A level students have achieved grades A* - B. Several students have gone on to study History at universities in the UK including Oxford.

Course content

The Key Stage 3 course is designed to enable students to develop their historical knowledge and understanding in a chronological framework. It is also designed to encourage them to appreciate that there are different interpretations of historical events and that they can draw their own conclusions through the use of historical sources. In Year 7, the students follow a course which explores the development of the Roman Empire and its impact and the Medieval World. In Year 8, the students study the changes of the 16th and 17th centuries in Britain and Europe and the French Revolution and its impact. In Year 9, the course covers the impact of the industrial revolution and the 20th century and its two world wars.

IGCSE students follow the Edexcel syllabus which involves the study of four units: a depth study on Germany between 1918 and 1945, and one on the USA between 1945 and 1974; a historical investigation on the conflict in Vietnam between 1945 and 1975; and a breadth study on the League of Nations and the United Nations. A level students study four units. In Year 12 they study Russia between 1881 and 1917, and South Africa between 1948 and 2014. In Year 13 they study the USA from Independence to the Civil War, and Superpower Relations between 1943 and 1990.

Why choose History at IGCSE and/or IA level?

History is a highly respected academic discipline and its study develops the kind of analytical skills which will play an important part for students in the demands of life outside and beyond school. The ability to reach objective judgments based on careful reading and an understanding of a variety of sources, together with the ability to write clear, literate, analytical prose that represents a balanced assessment of the evidence, but which does not fight shy of drawing conclusions are skills valued in many fields of employment.

International A level History is particularly recommended for students intending to study Law at university or for those interested in a career in journalism. History graduates are very employable, and History is in the
Daily Telegraph’s list of top ten degrees for employability.