Departments
History
Our past is a very exciting and amazing place full of adventure, discovery and lessons to be learned. The primary aim of study is to engender a deep-seated interest and a lifelong enjoyment of this past. A variety of activities and visits enhance the learning experience, whether it be a recreation of a particular period by visiting speakers or groups or exploration of primary and secondary source materials housed in the department which is equipped extensively with artefacts for the children to handle, wear and often question. Many of the sources are original. A major element of study is the encouragement to question the ‘who, what, when, why and how’ of history, rather than merely accepting the ‘facts’ presented in texts as being true. We examine certain events from the past, for example the murder of William Rufus in the New Forest and conduct a survey of the ‘evidence’ in order to challenge the written facts of the case, with surprising results.
By Year 3 children have a sound grounding in people, places and ideas which constitute ‘the past’. Our focus of study during Years 3-5 cover the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, culminating with a look at the early invaders and settlers who colonised our island. In year 6 we begin an in-depth study of evidence and sources, discovering how we find out about the past and children are encouraged to question evidence and artefacts rather than merely accepting things on face value – how useful is it to my understanding? The final two years of study are spent preparing for Common Entrance, enhancing investigative skills already learned and furthering our knowledge and understanding of England’s past through the Early and Late Medieval periods.
Adrian Schoeberl
Head of History
