Academic Subjects

    History

    In the History Department we cultivate a deep appreciation for the richness of the past, broaden historical knowledge and equip our pupils with the analytical tools to become critical thinkers.

    Our experienced staff help pupils develop a sense of curiosity and a natural inclination to explore and question the past. We encourage them to access a wealth of historical information through utilising our well-stocked library in Grosvenor and also improving digital literacy skills essential to the 21st century through learning platforms such as activehistory.co.uk, Seneca and InThinking.

    Academic Class - Two Boys

    We equip pupils with an intellectual toolkit of skills necessary for critical analysis, enabling them to evaluate historical sources, consider a wide range of different perspectives and form reasoned judgements.

    We promote scholarly debate, encourage pupils to challenge assumptions, and help them develop independent and well-informed viewpoints. We provide opportunities outside of the classroom with a popular Model United Nations society.

    We promote an active learning environment and inspire pupils through various trips which include:

    • To the battlefields of the First World War – Year 9 (D)
    • Berlin – either Year 10 (C) or Year 11 (B)
    • The annual Chalke History Festival – for Year 10 (C) and Year 12 (A3)

    Our history curriculum

    Our curriculum

    In Year 9 (D) we have crafted our own curriculum along the theme of Rights and Protests. We focus on the British Empire and in particular, on the question of the empire’s impact on Britain itself: on how the act of conquering and maintaining an empire shaped British politics, culture and society.

    • Our GCSE course

      Over half the year group choose history as an option and we currently study the Edexcel IGCSE course. Our four chosen topics are:

      • Changes in medicine 1848-1948
      • Germany- development of dictatorship 1918-45
      • USA 1918-41
      • A world divided: superpower relations 1943-72

    • Our A level course

      History is a popular choice in the Sixth Form. The topics have a broad range and are from the following areas:

      • Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035-1107
      • Apartheid and reconciliation: South African politics 1948-99
      • English government and church 1066-1216
      • Changing nature of warfare 1792-1945
      • Russia and its rulers 1855-1964

    • Our IB history programme

      The IB history course is ambitious in its scope, presenting pupils with the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the past and the complexity of historical events, ideas and developments that have shaped our world.

      The course is international in outlook and engages pupils in the fascinating reality that history has multiple perspectives and interpretations.

      • Paper 1 – Rights and protest: civil rights in USA (1954-65), apartheid South Africa (1948-64)
      • Paper 2 – Authoritarian states in the 20th century- Nyerere’s Tanzania, Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy and emergence and development of democratic states- India and South Africa
      • Paper 3 – Imperial Russia, revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union (1855-1924), Inter-war domestic developments in European States 1918-39 (Germany, Italy and Spain)

    Beyond Bryanston

    Many pupils go on to study History or related degree subjects at Russell Group universities. In recent years some of our pupils have continued in the line of history such as the acclaimed author, Tim Bouverie.

    They have also pursued a wide range of other professions – for example, rugby players Rory Jennings and Tom Woolstencroft, actors Emilia Fox, Freddie Fox and Max Irons.

    Our History teachers

    Through our shared vision we aim to instil a love of history and to develop inquiring, independent and knowledgeable youngsters. Pupils are encouraged to be reflective, open-minded thinkers who are principled in their actions.

    Our Head of History, Jo Strange, read History at Newnham College, Cambridge and was awarded a hockey Blue. She has been teaching at Bryanston for over 25 years and has previously been the Head of the IB programme.

    She has coached numerous hockey teams for both girls and boys and has organised trips to the battlefields of the First World War and Berlin. She is particularly interested in both Russian and modern Irish history.

    Pippa Quarrell is an Old Bryanstonian who began teaching at Bryanston in 1995. She has been a Head of History plus Senior Tutor and is currently an Assistant Head. Her specialism is medieval England and she runs the popular public speaking programme.

    Old Bryanstonian, Simon Vincent, is a former British Army Officer and a former House Parent of Cranborne. His main historical interest lies in warfare and he also teaches politics along with coaching rugby and cricket.

    Tom Strongman studied history at Warwick University and is currently a House Parent for Shaftesbury House. His particular interest lies in modern Russian history and he is an experienced white water kayaking coach who has led expeditions to Northern India, Georgia and Siberia.

    Arabella de Steiger Khandwala studied history at Edinburgh and Exeter universities and spent a decade in Tanzania working in educational development. Her historical interests include modern African history including decolonisation, and topics relating to international relations and human rights. She runs Bryanston’s flourishing Model United Nations society and is also a very keen runner.

    Academic Subjects