At King Ethelbert School, History seeks to make a major contribution to the moral, social, political and cultural development of pupils by helping pupils to appreciate the development of society through the influence of war and conquest, religious and moral conflict, the desire to expand territory, political influence and acquire new resources; as well as enabling students to understand the changing shape of the global map over time.

Using historical sources critically, pupils develop an understanding of how the past has been represented and interpreted, as well as a realisation that events from the past while helping to shape the present may also hold the key to advising on how we might re-design the future, or at least offer a range of choices for the future debate to continue.

History teaching is streamed into two band groups to maximise individuals’ potential and development among peers.

In Key Stage 3 pupils study many topics in History including Medieval & Elizabethan England and the Reformation, World War 1, Industrial revolution, the Renaissance, Holocaust and the English and American Civil wars.

In Key Stage 4 Pupils can opt to undertake history as one of their GCSE choices. GCSE History follows the AQA Schools History Spec. A course.

This consists of four specific components. A study in depth; The American West 1840-1895. A study through time; The history of medicine. A modern coursework study; ‘The long March’ set in 1930’s China and a local coursework study of Dover Castle. Together, these four components offer the students a variety of historical topics which appeal to all interests and aptitudes.

Trips include visits to Dover Castle, The National Army Museum, The Imperial War Museum, The science Museum and St. Thomas’s Hospital.