Why we teach History

Our vision for History at St Paul's

History helps students to understand the world in which we live today through studying events in the past. We use a variety of learning techniques to help students develop communication and written skills. They will find out about the causes and consequences of events locally, nationally and internationally. We aim to develop important historical skills through the use of sources and to comprehend and apply essential concepts such as utility, provenance and significance. The factors of power, religion and economics are at the core of many lessons, as well as human behaviour where sensitive issues such as racism, religious intolerance and gender inequality are confronted. 

Although history is a very important subject to support citizenship and to build a life-long interest, it is also very skills-based. It requires and promotes important life skills that are essential in the world of work and an understanding of life today. Students learn to process information and quantify its utility, as well as develop frameworks to communicate ideas and to demonstrate debate and argument. These skills are essential for business and careers in media, public service and human resources. At university level, history is a ‘facilitating’ subject, which means it is preferred for courses such as journalism, business, the civil service, the police, the law and teaching, where an analytical mind is needed to debate and problem-solve challenging projects. History is a route to many careers and helps the development of students’ skills through the use of historical sources and emphasis upon questioning their significance and utility. Students will produce both oral and written answers that demand evidence and explanation. They will come to understand key concepts such as propaganda, tone and message. 

Head of Department: Mr Bradley Jackson