Aims
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.
Staff and facilities
The department is staffed by 7 teachers and occupies5 rooms. Although we issue a large range of books, especially to Sixth Form pupils, 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 on Russia.
How much time will I spend on this subject per 10 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 additional individual study
History in the Lower School
First Year
We undertake a preliminary study of evidence before exploring medieval England, which includes a field trip to Conway Castle in the Spring Term. We complete our study of English political and social history with the Battle of Bosworth.
Second Year
We cover2 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 20th century.
Coursework is completed on important battles and turning points from the second world war. The course is concluded with a study of the cold war period.
History further up the school
GCSE
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 1890 to 1918, the period of Liberal reforms.
Controlled assessment takes place in the Fifth Year and is based on the role of the individual in the cold war.
A Level
A Level History is divided into 4 modules and we study modern European history, modern British history and American history.
Modules include the unification of Italy (1815 to 1871) and Liberals and Conservatives (1846-1895) at AS Level. At A2 Level we study American civil rights (1865 to 1992) and Lenin and the Bolsheviks (1903 to 1924), which is examined through coursework essays.
Links with local history
In recent years, First Year pupils have visited Tatton Park, and Third Year pupils 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 2 unit.
Trips
The department organises many trips and excursions, both at home and abroad. First Year pupils all complete assignments after their visit to Hartington Hall. The Second Year pupils visit the Ironbridge Gorge Museum in Shropshire.
Third Year and Fourth Year pupils can participate in our annual 4 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. At Easter in 2011 we organised a large scale trip to Berlin and Prague for members of the Fourth Year and above, and in 2012 we are returning to the United States and will visit Washington, Philadelphia and New York (this is a joint trip with the Art department). Each trip has important historical and cultural significance. Participants are always guided by local historians and many places of interest are visited.
Clubs and societies
A History society has been formed primarily for younger historians. Pupils have the opportunity to work with artefacts borrowed from local museums and to hear from veterans of conflicts from the last century. We also provide the opportunity to listen to talks given by important historians.
