History

Head of History : Mr Andrew Owen

We all have to make big decisions in life and to live with the consequences. Sometimes those decisions are literally a matter of life and death, such as the decisions facing Neville Chamberlain at the outset of World War II.

Throughout history, people's lives have been shaped by the situations they have found themselves in. Some things we need to understand and accept but others we may be determined to change. Victorian children, for example, worked long hours and had few rights but some recognised that things had to change.

Change, motive, consequences and responsibility are just some of the ideas at the heart of historical study. Young minds are eager to be the ‘detective' as they look at the evidence and can readily imagine themselves in all manner of situations.

The opportunity to think, research, imagine and discuss in an environment where you are not judged or forced to accept another's point of view can not only be fun, but an important preparation for the situations that we may face in our lifetimes.

Class work is varied and includes discussion, research from books and the internet, role-play and the use of PowerPoint and Kar2ouche programmes on the computer. Pupils are encouraged to think and investigate further in an extended project and educational visits outside school offer a rich opportunity to experience life as other people lived.