In the History department we are proud of being able to bring the subject to life via a variety of teaching approaches, including role play, discussion, debate, drama, group work and use of modern technologies and interactive whiteboards, backed up by a variety of resources on the school’s VLE. All pupils study History at Key Stage 3, with take-up at GCSE and A level very high. Out of class we offer students a History Club, based around interpretations of History in films, and help to chair the Senior Debating Society. We are also habitually able to offer trips to Portchester Castle, the Imperial War and National Army Museum, and the World War I Battlefields in Belgium and France.
The department currently has six members of staff, reflecting growing numbers of students choosing History as an option. Three are full time historians, with three teaching part time and/or in addition to other responsibilities within the school; each contributes substantially to our success as a department, and all staff play an active role in the collaborative creation of policies, schemes of work and resources.
We are based along the front of the school, with storage facilities and an office at either end. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard, and students have access to a variety of texts, audio-visual and electronic resources to help with their research. Our main aim is to make History accessible, interesting and relevant to students, through the choice of stimulating subject material, innovative teaching methods and a student centred approach to learning, allowing students to develop skills in knowledge, understanding, explanation, investigation, handling sources and presenting arguments. These are essential tools in studying History, but also important skills transferable to other areas of the curriculum and life in general.