AIMS OF THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT
1.
The History Department - A Statement of
Policy
a)
Aims and Philosophy of the Department
‘Learning history helps pupils develop curiosity in, and an understanding of, the past. Pupils learn about the recent past, the more distant past of other people, both famous and ordinary, and how their own role in their family and community has changed.’ (QCA Guidelines)
History is a fascinating subject, full of interesting people, places, events and colourful stories about the lives of others before us. It is the belief of the department that the lives' of everyone who studies the past will be enriched for knowing about the influences that have shaped their lives and which makes them the people they are. Knowing about the past is a rewarding and fruitful study which offers a window on different times and places and where people lived much different lives to our own. Sharing our heritage is essential to the education to every child if we are to develop our students into mature, considerate adults, capable of forming their own opinions and making decisions about their life with surety and understanding.
b)
Scope
Learning
History has relevance for all pupils regardless of age, ethnicity or ability.
Provision is to be made for all students to be able to learn about History at
King’s High School.
c)
The Distinctive Role Of History In The School Curriculum
History
is an essential part of the balanced, broad and relevant curriculum. It
stimulates pupils' curiosity about the way of life of people living in the past,
in the local area, in Britain and in the wider world. By engaging with the past
pupils develop their understanding of the characteristic features and diversity
of British society and of the range of societies, political structures, cultures
and beliefs that influenced the actions of people in the past. Pupils develop
their individual and collective sense of identity and learn to appreciate the
diversity of human experience, by understanding and valuing their own and
others' inheritance. The acquisition of an historical perspective is an
indispensable asset to understanding the present. Historical understanding
informs our questions, judgements and decisions about contemporary human actions
and events and future possibilities.
Skills
of historical enquiry and communication are essential components in developing
an appreciation of the nature of evidence. Pupils develop their ability to use
the distinctive, disciplined, problem solving methods of historians through a
range of critical enquiry, thinking and communication skills. History emphasises
the value of rational explanation and is a vital element in assisting the
development of enquiring and disciplined minds in young people. Moreover,
History stimulates and arouses interest in the past in its own right and as a
source of curiosity and imaginative involvement.
History
can support understanding in other curriculum areas by providing a context and
perspective for study and by providing specialist skills to allow this to take
place.
2.
Aims of the History department
1
to interest and motivate pupils by means of:
·
starting lessons using the experience of the pupil;
·
interesting and relevant content;
·
varied teaching methodology and materials;
·
teacher enthusiasm.
2
to
promote knowledge and understanding of what happened in the past:
·
to develop an awareness that things change over time and that these
changes can affect their lives, the lives of others and, at times, their
environment.
·
to develop each pupil’s curiosity about his/herself and his/her world.
·
to develop a chronological awareness and sense of the past.
·
to encourage an interest in a range of historical knowledge.
·
to develop an ability to use historical sources and communicate their
understanding in a variety of forms.
3
to teach a range
of historical concepts and skills:
·
cause, consequence and motivation
·
continuity, change and development over time
·
the values, feelings and perspective of people in the past
·
the role of the individual
·
site investigation, in its historical context
·
oral History research
·
use of supportive evidence and confirming its' validity
4
to enable pupils, within their potential, to become historians - to gain
experience of historical enquiry, narrative, analysis, questioning,
opinion-forming, problem-solving and presentation of their findings;
5
to demonstrate the causal importance and continuing relevance of the past
to the events, values and beliefs of today - in particular, to use the past as
an example, so as to recommend to the pupils such personal qualities as honesty
and concern for others, forethought and self-discipline, tolerance and
open-mindedness;
6
To
help the pupils to succeed in their studies and, should they wish, to pursue the
subject at a higher level.