The study of history matters for a number of reasons. It is hugely important to understand how current events have been formed by the past; it is difficult to comprehend a solution to the issue of Palestine, for example, without fully understanding its history.

In addition, History develops key skills in pupils: the ability to read widely, synthesise and argue coherently in both written and verbal form. Perhaps most importantly, History is an enjoyable and interesting subject in its own right, which fires a lifelong enthusiasm in students.

In Years 7 to 9, pupils study a sweep of history from around 1066 through to the end of the Second World War in 1945. Topics include life in medieval Britain, the Tudors and Stuarts and the French Revolution, as well as the two world wars in the 1900s.

In Years 10 and 11 we focus particularly on the inter-war years of 1919-39, the USA between 1919 and 1941 and the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.

For the IB Diploma we offer both medieval and modern routes, allowing pupils to choose a chronological pathway that interests them at this stage.

We run numerous trips, both domestically and abroad, and have three flourishing history societies. University entrance is a particular strength of this department, with around 20 pupils a year accepting places to study History or related courses.