History

In the History Department we aim to foster a lively and, we hope, life-long interest in the study of the past through a range of predominantly modern topics and enthusiastic teaching.

IVth Form
In the IVth Form pupils will be able to study key events which helped shape the 20th Century world.  In the first year the First World War and the Roaring 1920s America are studied; we also undertake a special investigation on the Holocaust.

Our aim in this first year is to develop the skills of essay writing and source analysis, which are required by the IGCSE course.  Innovative and exciting teaching methods, such as IT-based tasks and debates, aim to ensure that History is as accessible as possible to the broadest range of pupils.

GCSE
At GCSE Level we are currently following the Edexcel IGCSE, which offers a wide range of excellent topics.  This course offers the advantages of being both broad and challenging for the brighter pupils and yet manageable and stimulating for the less academic.

Our course currently covers the following: the Roaring 1920s in America (studied in the IVth Form and LVth Fifth), A divided union: Depression and recovery in the USA, 1929–45, Development of dictatorship: Germany, 1918–45 and Conflict, crisis and change: China, c.1934–c.1989.

Throughout the Lower School it is the department’s policy to run trips to sites of historical interest, for example World War One battlefields with the IVth Form. We also go to events such as “Hitler on Trial” and run in-school competitions such as “History Millionaire”.

VIth Form
"The justification of  all historical study must ultimately be that it enhances our self-consciousness, enables us to see ourselves in perspective, and helps us towards that greater freedom which comes from self-knowledge." - Keith Thomas

This A Level course follows the OCR specification and aims to build on the skills and knowledge you have gained at GCSE, but, rather than revisit material that you have studied already, we aim to broaden your historical knowledge and introduce fresh material that will widen your historical perspectives.
In the first year of the VIth Form (AS Level) you can either study an early modern or late modern option.

The early modern course is made up of two modules:

“Mid-Tudor Crises 1536–69”
“Philip II, Spain and the Netherlands, 1556–1609”

The Mid-Tudor Crises 1536–69 is a document-based paper and focuses on the theme of a series of crises involving the extent and significance of political, religious, economic and social change. This is an excellent opportunity to study one of the most challenging periods of the Tudor monarchs.
 
Philip II, Spain and the Netherlands, 1556–1609 is an essay-based paper which examines the study of Phillip II from his accession to the throne of Spain to his death. The course analyses his reign with regards his foreign and domestic policies. You will explore Philip’s bankruptcies, his issues at court, the Spanish Inquisitions, why the Spanish Amanda occurred and failed, as well as the reasons behind the Dutch Revolts.  It focuses on how successful he was as a ruler of two nations and what impact he had. You will be studying the most dominant and powerful nation of the sixteenth century.

The late modern course is made up of two modules:

“The USA and Cold War in Asia 1945-1975”
“British Imperialism 1856 – 1914”
 
The USA and Cold War in Asia 1945-1975 is a document-based paper and examines the the basis of US involvement in Asia after 1945 and the changing nature of its policy to contain Communism in China, Korea and Vietnam. With Vietnam, the focus is on the relative importance of the reasons for a growing US involvement, from Truman to Nixon, and the problems of failure and disengagement. It will give you a full insight into the Cold War in Asia and how the fight between Communism and Capitalism occurred across other parts of the world.
 
British Imperial and Foreign Policy (1856-1914) is an essay-based paper which examines the development of British imperial policy at a time when the British Empire was at its height.  This topic explores the principles behind British policy, the key events that determined colonial behaviour, such as the Scramble for Africa and the Boer War, and the reasons why Britain went to war in 1914. It will give you a thorough understanding of an absorbing period in our country’s development and a better appreciation of our relationship with foreign powers in the build up to the Great War.

In the second year, at A2 Level, the two modules that complete the A2 qualification are:
“Russian Dictatorships 1855-1964”
“America between the Wars”

You will study a course on Russian Dictatorships, a synoptic essay paper which looks at various themes across a hundred year period of Russian history, focusing on the nature of Russian government and its impact on the Russian people and society.

The final unit of study, which emphasises independent research, comprises two pieces of independent research based pieces of coursework on America between the Wars

‘America between the Wars’ is concerned with interpreting the domestic and foreign pressures which affected the USA during the inter-war years. Prohibition, the economic boom and subsequent collapse, Hoover’s response and FDR’s New Deal as well as foreign policy throughout the period are the major topics covered. Within that there is a special focus on interpreting Franklin Roosevelt (his aims and achievements) and understanding the historical debate surrounding this momentous period of American history.

Your coursework is made up of two elements. Firstly an extended essay of around 2000 words will be based on one of the topics of the course. The second is another 2000 word essay based on four historical opinions of America during this period.

Some who choose this subject continue to pursue it at university but many others use it as a spring-board to apply for degree courses in subjects which require analytical reading and thinking, an ability to master an argument and to articulate a point of view clearly and with cogency. In short History is a valid discipline in itself but also an excellent training for many others.