The study of History at Waddesdon enables students to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of the past with the purpose of understanding our complex and ever-changing world. Our aim is for students not just to flourish academically by acquiring and mastering a range of historical skills and developing a profound level of historical knowledge and understanding, but to inspire students with the rich story of our shared history. 

By fostering an appreciation and love of learning, our students approach the discipline of History with confidence and ambition. Students engage in an exploration of key historical concepts such as power, government, religion, migration, imperialism and economic development through to second order concepts like change and continuity, cause and consequence, significance, similarity and difference, and interpretations and evidence. The disciplinary demands of History forms the spine of a rigorous, ambitious and academic curriculum, but we recognise that historical skills and higher order thinking are rendered less powerful without the essential ingredient: knowledge. Students reach their fullest potential studying History here at Waddesdon precisely because they can apply the richness of their knowledge alongside the depth of their historical understanding to fuel the analysis and evaluation essential to the development of deep critical thinking. 

History students gain an appreciation for the importance of questioning information in conjunction with accounting for the role which perspective plays in the creation of history; and by extension the narratives that exist out in the world. The skillset that our students take from us engenders nuances in understanding, critical thinking, the ability to process, analyse and evaluate a variety of information from a range of origins, and the ability to formulate arguments and reach informed and confidently articulated judgements. These are the qualities we desire in our young people as we send them out into the world so that they can make a difference in their communities and inspire real and lasting change. History takes pride of place in this endeavour; not just by presenting the story of our past, but by shaping the story of our young people and their future.

Year 7 Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Year 7:

• Why was Britain a migration destination?
• What was the significance of 1066?
• To what extent was the Medieval period stable?
• How did the Tudors shape early Medieval England?
• How revolutionary were the revolutions in England and France?
• How did the age of industrialisation fuel the age of empire?

Year 8 overview

Students are taught the following topics in Year 8:

• Who, or what, caused the outbreak of World War One?
• What consequences did total war have on Britain and Europe?
• Why did the interwar years fail to ‘win the peace’?
• What was the main reason for Allied victory in World War Two?
• How did the Holocaust happen?

GCSE Overview

Many students choose to continue studying History at GCSE. They follow the AQA syllabus 8145. This covers a range of time periods and aspects of history:

Paper 1

• Section A: Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship
• Section B: Conflict and Tension between East and West, 1945-1972

Paper 2

• Section A: Britain: Migration, Empires and the People: c.790 to present day
• Section B:  Elizabethan England, c.1568-16

A-Level Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Years 12 and 13:

History at A Level is a popular option. Students study a combination of Early Modern and Modern History. The AQA syllabus requires the students to study the following units:

• Unit 1: The Tudors: England, 1485-1603 (1C)
• Unit 2: The Transformation of China, c.1936-1997 (2P)
• NEA:   The Development of Antisemitism 1848-1945

The History department run a series of trips including:

• Year 8 – Historical Fiction Competition trip to Waddesdon Manor (for participating students)
• Year 10 – The Battlefields (on a rolling basis)
• Year 12 – The archives at Waddesdon Manor in support of the History NEA project on Antisemitism
• Year 12/13 – The Imperial War Museum Holocaust Galleries in support of the History NEW project on Antisemitism

Additionally, there are a variety of moments across the school year for History themed assemblies and talks to enrich students further and to commemorate and celebrate key historical moments across the school year.

Our subject will always put the learning of all at the heart of our lessons, ensuring the correct balance between accessibility and challenge, but stretching our students forms a core part of our focus and approach to the teaching of our subject. History at Waddesdon is a fundamentally story-driven subject and we look to engage our students through the richness of storytelling and reading throughout our enquiries to encourage students to participate in discussions, take part in debates and develop their historical literacy. It is through this process that students can develop ideas and arguments of real sophistication.

The History department rewards and encourages students who flourish academically but who also show significant and sustained improvement, recognising them as Historians of the Month for which they receive a certificate. We also run extracurricular competitions such as the Historical Fiction Competition, in association with the Historical Association and as an internal school competition.

The History department also provides and strongly encourages wider reading, film and documentary lists in support of broadening student learning. Students are encouraged and supported in making use of online learning platforms like Massolit and the Historical Association’s student zone.