We aim to:

• Encourage children of all ages to learn about the past.
• Help them to develop an understanding of the history of their own country and also the history of other nations and peoples.

Through studying History, pupils are able to improve their ability to analyse, argue and conduct research.

What staff and facilities are available to the department?

The department is staffed by eight members of staff and occupies five rooms. Although we issue a large range of books, especially to Sixth Formers, we also have a large library in the department catering for all age groups and courses. The School Library has also acquired new stocks of books for Sixth Form historians, which are particularly relevant to the coursework topics.

How much time will I spend on this subject per ten day cycle?

• Lower School: 3 lessons (3 hours) with 1 hour of homework.
• GCSE: 5 lessons (5 hours) with 2 hours of homework.
• A Level: 10 lessons (10 hours) with at least 3 hours of individual study.

What is History in the Lower School like?

First Year: We undertake a preliminary study of evidence before exploring Medieval England, which includes a field trip to Tatton Hall in the spring term. We complete our study of English political and social history with the Battle of Bosworth.

Second Year: We cover two main areas. We look at political developments from the time of the Reformation to the middle of the 18th Century, concentrating on the Tudor and Stuart monarchies and we also study the Industrial Revolution. We endeavour to add local references where possible, including Quarry Bank Mill.

Third Year: We focus on the origins and key events of the World Wars of the Twentieth century. Coursework is completed on important battles and turning points from World War Two. The course is concluded with a study of the Cold War period.

What happens further up the school?

GCSE History: We study the following key areas:

• Europe and the world 1919 to 1939, with special reference to the peace treaties, the League of Nations and aggressive nationalism in the 1930s, including the rise of Hitler.
• An in-depth study on Germany 1918 to 1945, including Weimar Germany and the Third Reich.
• An in-depth study on Britain from 1906 – 1918, the period of Liberal reforms.
• Coursework is internally assessed and is based on the role of an individual in Modern History.

A Level History: Is divided into four modules and we study Modern European History, Modern British History and American History. Modules include the Unification of Italy (1815 - 1871) and Liberals and Conservatives (1846-95) at AS Level. At A2 Level we study American Civil Rights (1865 - 1992) and Lenin and the Bolsheviks (1903 - 1924), which is examined through coursework essays.

Does the Department make any links with local history?

In recent years, the First Years have visited Tatton Park, and the Third Years have been given talks by members of the armed services who fought in the Second World War. Pupils are also encouraged to investigate war memorials in their home town and to research relatives’ experiences for the ‘Era of World War Two’ unit.

Are there any trips?

The Department organises many trips and excursions, both at home and abroad. The First Years all complete coursework after a visit to Tatton Hall. The Second Year has visited the Ironbridge Gorge museum in Shropshire.

The Third and Fourth Years can participate in our annual four day trip to the First World War Battlefields of Belgium and France every October half term. We also organise a large-scale trip every Easter either to Europe or the USA. In 2008 we organised a large scale trip to the United States, visiting Washington, New York and Philadelphia; we will be returning to America at Easter 2010. In 2009 we took several year groups to Russia, visiting Moscow and St Petersburg. Each trip has important historical and cultural significance.

The History Society

A History Society has been formed primarily for younger historians. Pupils have an opportunity to work with artefacts borrowed from local museums and to listen to talks by veterans of conflicts from the last century. We are also providing the opportunity to listen to talks given by important historians.