History
At Arnold House, History is studied throughout the School and is a popular subject amongst the boys. A well established curriculum offers variety and depth. The History pages presented here aim to offer pupils downloadable notes (for revision) as well as links to websites, which can be used to encourage research or general interest in the subject.
In Years 1 and 2 boys are introduced to History as part of the Topic lessons and study themes such as houses and transport throughout the ages. "Proper" History begins in Years 3 and 4 with studies of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome and then the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. In Years 5 and 6 the programme is quite varied and encompasses work on European explorers from Columbus to Captain Cook, the History of the United States, Victorian England and the Twentieth Century. We are one of the few schools in the country that studies American History at this level and the boys gain much from this venture. During their studies of the Twentieth Century the boys undertake very successful project work on World War One, another initiative that the Department is proud of. The Year 7 and 8 syllabus is given over to topics needed for Common Entrance: The Middle Ages and the Tudor and Stuart periods. In addition to this, scholars work independently on the American and French Revolutions. After Common Entrance there is the opportunity for the leaving boys to look at the turbulent events in 1960s America: the Civil Rights Movement and the assassination of President Kennedy.
A variety of teaching methods are employed that use the best of traditional and modern approaches. Great emphasis is put on the "narrative" of History, but up to date technology such as interactive whiteboards and the Internet is used widely to support this aim. Lessons also encourage empathy and an appreciation of the differences and similarities between the past and the present. A sense of citizenship is also fostered by a clear study of British History, although this is put into European and world context. Due stress is also put on non-European elements in the syllabus.
