Children begin their understanding of History and have opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world.  This allows children to begin to explore the past and present events relevant to their own lives and those of their families.  They think and talk about how they have grown and changed and begin to recognise the differences between past and present. They will begin to tell stories about the past and begin to use time-related vocabulary.

Throughout Key Stage 2 the girls study people, significant events and developments from the recent and more distant past in the locality, in Britain and in other parts of the world. They learn about change and continuity and begin to see History from a variety of perspectives; political, economic and social. The girls also begin to learn that the past can be represented and interpreted in different ways.

The girls begin to learn about significant individuals as well as the causes and consequences of events in the history of Britain from the Medieval period, the Reformation and the English Civil War to the struggle for the right to vote in the 19th and 20th Centuries.

This is an exciting, yet rigorous, syllabus which challenges and stimulates the girls. They learn about the impact of the First World War on European relations and on the actions of dictators in the inter-war period.

The development of the Cold War and its impact on relations between East and West will also be studied. The girls will also understand that the consequences of these events are still relevant to us today and begin to develop an appreciation of patterns and trends that emerge in the conflict between democracy and dictatorship.

The study of History provides not only a deeper understanding of the society in which we live, but a sound intellectual training which can form a springboard to university studies and future careers. A Level studies in History will provide students with an opportunity to analyse some of the formative events and figures in British, European and World History.

We are fortunate to be living in a city with so many places of historical interest: Hampton Court Palace, Hatfield House and Leeds Castle are all within easy reach of London, whilst the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Tower of London are just a tube ride away. All museums have educational resources suitable for all, from the very youngest to the most mature of history buffs.

In addition to the visit to the Battlefields of the Western Front there are a number of History visits throughout the girls’ school life, from the Florence Nightingale Museum in Year 2 to Hampton Court in Year 5. There are also “Victorian” days for Year 6.

A Level students attend academic conferences on aspects of their studies, delivered by university historians who are leaders in their field of study. Students also visit the National Archives in Kew to use primary sources in their A Level Historical Enquiry work.