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History and Politics
Head of Department: Ms V Sanders
Mrs S Hardy
Mr J Lewes
Mrs L Sadler
Mr D Solomons
Resources
The department is well stocked with text books, and there is a large History section in the library, which also contains videos, DVDs and audio cassettes.
The department keeps in touch with the National Curriculum, covering these topics:
Lower School
Year 7
Medieval realms; North American Indians
Year 8
The History of Women, with a detailed consideration of Tudor England
Year 9
Slavery; The American War of Independence; The French Revolution; World War One; The Era of World War Two
Upper School
History is an optional subject at GCSE. A variety of 20th Century topics (e.g. Nazi Germany, Vietnam, World War One) is studied, and also one subject is traced through the centuries (i.e. the History of Medicine)
Sixth Form
Three AS Level courses are offered in Year 12
(a) History: Twentieth Century America - the Roaring Twenties, the Depression, the New Deal and race relations;
(b) History: 16th century England and Europe - Henry VII, Henry VIII, Luther and the Protestant Reformation;
(c) Politics: Why is political participation important? Who has power within the executive? Do elections change anything? Is there a need for constitutional reform? How united is the UK? These and other questions are covered in the syllabus.
Three A Level courses are offered in Year 13
(a) History: Aspects of the Twentieth Century world - British decolonisation and the Cold War in Europe and Asia;
(b) History: 16th century England - The reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I;
(c) Politics: A comparative study of the political systems of the UK and the USA.
Skills
During History lessons many skills are acquired, such as the selection and analysis of material, the understanding and use of sources and the development of an argument. Individual research is undertaken and the influence of the media is studied, e.g., the historical significance of films such as Schindler's List. Different societies and cultures are investigated and an empathic approach is encouraged.
Teaching Methods
A variety of teaching methods is used including formal debate, informal discussion and project work as well as more traditional approaches based on essay-writing and note-taking. The study of History 'in the field' is considered to be an important part of the pupils' education.
Departmental Aims
Our pupils are encouraged to develop wide-ranging personal study skills that will be useful across the curriculum and valuable in their future careers. The department also aims to encourage interest in and enthusiasm for the past. Many girls go on to study the subject at University and our candidates regularly achieve Oxbridge success.
Extra-curricular Activities
The department offers many trips, for example, the 'History of Wales' trip. At History Club, girls can participate in activities such as making models of castles or watching films on historical figures and events. Girls have the opportunity to listen to university lecturers or visiting speakers, for example, people who lived under the Nazi regime in Germany. There are often revision parties in the period before examinations. There is a Year 7 outing to Bradwell Abbey, where girls experience various aspects of medieval life, including building a timber-frame house and going on a pilgrimage.