As a department, we seek to maximise the potential of all boys in our subject, whilst at the same time developing in them a lasting love of the study of the past. We want our students to consider the different ideas, events and individuals that have shaped our society to this point.

History continues to be a very popular subject in our school. As a department, we take pride in the fact that a number of our students have chosen to further their study of the subject to degree level and beyond.

While the study of history is innately rewarding, it also helps to develop a range of useful skills which can be transferred to a host of education or employment opportunities.

A history student will develop the following skills through their studies:

• Research skills
• Communication + writing skills
• How to construct an argument
• Problem-solving
• Organisational skills
• Enquiry
• Critical analysis

A qualification in History can be useful in opening you up to a wide range of opportunities, both in terms of careers and further study, such as:

• Law
• Journalism
• Broadcasting
• Civil Service
• Teaching
• Police
• Publishing
• Management

At Key Stage 3, our enquiries are shaped around four key themes:

• Ordinary lives
• Attitudes and beliefs
• Democracy and kingship
• Britain and the wider world

Students will develop their historical knowledge through enquiries that focus on local, national and international history. These enquiries are taught broadly chronologically, starting with the Anglo-Saxons and the Battle of Brunanburh and concluding after the Second World War.

Those who opt at GCSE will look at the modern history of Germany + the USA, the development of Crime and Punishment and the Elizabethan Age, whilst at A Level we look at the Crusades, Russia and its Rulers and Modern Britain, 1951–1997.

The History department organises many trips and excursions, both at home and abroad. In recent years, we have provided our students with the opportunity to visit the following historic places on residential trips:

• Kraków + Auschwitz
• Rome
• Berlin
• Munich
• WWI Battlefields
• Normandy
• London

In addition, all year 7 students visit Birkenhead Priory to support their learning about medieval Christianity and the Reformation. All year 8 students visit Liverpool’s museums as they learn about the growing British Empire and the transatlantic slave trade, and we are planning a year 9 trip to Port Sunlight to support students’ understanding of industry and colonialism in the early 20^th century.