History

We teach history because we wish to foster a curiosity in and a passion for the past. We enable students to create a sense of purpose and place to define the past in the context of the present, we encourage our students to make links between the past and present so events today can be evaluated to a high level and discussed with the benefit of hindsight. We value an education in history because it allows students to make links between different cultures and across time.

The study of history should humanise the narrative, making a connection with the people of the past. This collective sense of history allows students to embrace shared values of democracy, equality, justice, truth, empathy, tolerance and combating prejudice. We have a responsibility to expose students to differing interpretations of history that have been shaped by the context and values of the time. Through this we raise awareness of the dangers of ‘single story’ approach to history. Therefore, students are empowered and equipped with the specific, carefully selected knowledge to challenge and question the past with the skills and language needed to unlock their minds and the past. We want our curriculum and lessons to be memorable for students, we like to shock and inspire them to build their own history, not only now but in the future, we have extremely high expectations and are always encouraging our students to challenge themselves. 

The faculty has ensured that the history taught represents the rich diversity of the historical narratives that make Britain the country it is today. This is achieved through accessing the work of a variety of historians working today from a variety of backgrounds that is relevant to our period of study and representative of the students we teach. The rural setting of the schools within the trust means that teaching a diverse curriculum is key in ensuring that students are aware of the wider world and how British history fits within it. Teachers address misconceptions and historiography to assist our students in understanding the world beyond our county’s borders.