History

The National Curriculum (England) places some emphasis on the history of the British Isles but many topics address a more global perspective. This continues to be an integral part of our curriculum but our location in the American community necessitates a parallel study of the culture and history of the United States. This includes the use of local studies and the study of important figures and events in American history.

The school has a good selection of books to support the teaching of history that may be used by children of all ages. We have also developed a selection of artifacts that further enhance the historical experiences of the children through first hand experience. The computer lab also assists study by use of encyclopaedias and the Internet. All children in our school will have access to books, artifacts and CD-Roms and the Internet. We also make use of the vast array of museum sites that are available locally such as George Washington's residence.

By the end of Key Stage One, all pupils will have looked at how their homes and toys have changed over the years. A local area will also be studied to find out how it has developed over the years. The pupils study the skills of the historian, interpreting artifacts, sequencing events, and questioning people about specific occurrences. They also learn about famous people and their influences on events: these could include Florence Nightingale and Abraham Lincoln.

By the end of Key Stage Two pupils will have made detailed studies of the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians, the Tudors and one of the Romans, Vikings and Anglo Saxons. Typical areas for focus include the food, clothes, the social structure and technological advancements in that period. The Second World War and the Nineteenth Century are studied from both a British and an American perspective. Again, the skills of the historian are also constantly referred to and developed. Pupils will have considered bias; they will look at written and photographic sources as well as people's verbal accounts.

During Key Stage Three pupils learn about significant individuals and events in the history of Britain from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. They also learn about key aspects of US, European and world history. They show their understanding by making connections between events and changes in the different periods and areas studied, and by comparing the structure of societies and economic, cultural and political developments. They evaluate and use sources of information, using their historical knowledge to analyse the past and explain how it can be represented and interpreted in different ways.

Key Stage Four History (GCSE) involves study of a number of topics of national and world significance. The skills of the historian are further developed as pupils learn to analyse and interpret events of importance. The Course covers Modern European and World History including The Great War, Nazi Germany, Super Power Relations post 1945 and the History of the USA 1941-1980. The Course aims to give students opportunities to acquire increased knowledge and understanding of selected periods, historical events and changes, to use historical sources critically in context, to develop understanding of how the past has been represented and interpreted, to organise and communicate their knowledge and understanding of history, and to draw conclusions and appreciate that historical judgments are liable to reassessment in the light of new or reinterpreted evidence.