History
History is a cornerstone subject, worthy of study on its own merit, but also vital if students are going to be able to grasp the complex nature of the problems facing 21st century society. These include national, religious, social and political identity.
The History curriculum is designed to be progressive and accessible to pupils of all abilities. Pupils begin learning key historical skills, such as source evaluation and constructing an evidence-based argument from Second Form. This is then built on during Third Form, so that should pupils choose to take History at GCSE (and beyond), they will already be familiar with the type of questions asked.
Whilst the course content of the compulsory years is designed to inspire a love of the subject whilst providing an opportunity to study topics not covered by external exam boards, it also provides pupils with a broad ‘bigger picture’ context to their later studies. GCSE and A-Level both follow the Edexcel course.
Pupils in Second Form have two lessons a week, and study the following:
- History of Loretto School
- Invasion, Plague and Murder: Do the Middle Ages deserve their reputation?
- The Renaissance
- How did the Spanish Conquest Transform Mexico?
Pupils in Third Form have two lessons a week, and study the following:
- World War I
- Why Were the Years 1600-1900 Revolutionary?
- Bonnie Prince Charlie: Romantic Hero or Failed Pretender?
Pupils in Fourth and Fifth form have three lessons a week and follow the Edexcel GCSE History Syllabus:
- Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39
- Superpower Relations and the Cold War 1941-91
- Early Elizabethan England 1558-88
- Crime and Punishment Through Time 1000-Present
- There is a GCSE History trip to Berlin.
Students in Sixth Form have six lessons a week, split between two teachers. They follow the Edexcel A-Level History Syllabus:
- Britain, 1625-1701: conflict, revolution and settlement
- Russia in Revolution 1894-1924
- Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763-1914
- Coursework: a student-chosen investigation into an aspect of the Holocaust
- There is an A-Level trip to New York and Washington.