History

History is crucial for an understanding of the influences which have affected the world we live in today, so it is a vital part of our curriculum.

We teach it in as varied a way as possible, which gives children of a wide range of aptitudes the chance to engage with the subject. There are trips out to sites such as Fishbourne Roman Palace, Lewes Castle, Hampton Court and while our Year 7s are in France they go to Bayeux to see the tapestry.

In addition to such outings our calendar is dotted with whole days in school devoted to a particular period of history. Egyptian Day, Tudor Day, Anglo-Saxon Day (in the woods – the children do smell of woodsmoke afterwards!) and 1940s Day are all highlights of a varied and exciting programme.

In amongst it all, the rhythm of regular written work develops the skills of analysis, evaluating sources and empathy with people in different times and cultures.

In the final two years the Year 7 and 8 children study the Medieval Realms syllabus for Common Entrance and Scholarships to senior schools, a period which still throws up situations which have remarkable parallels in contemporary history.