The History Department
A classroom Revolution
As a department we encourage our pupils to be bold free-thinkers, who question and consider all sides of an argument. This principle is an extension of the philosophy which permeates all aspects of teaching and pastoral matters at Putney Park.
A study of history is in essence the fascinating story of humankind and its long journey from the recorded past to the present. Free from the usual obligation to conform to the constraints and vagaries of political correctness, our pupils are given the liberating opportunity to fully examine the reasons behind the rise and fall of great nations and people, together with the concomitant socio-political consequences, however unpalatable they may be by contemporary standards. We live in a time of rapid change, a time of progress. We prefer to define ourselves in terms of where we are going, not where we come from. All students, from Years 7 to 11 have really embraced this and I thank them for it!
We have had a really successful year and students have coped with a great many changes to the syllabus at GCSE. Let me take this opportunity to thank all in Year 11 in whose company I have travelled back on the ‘Buss’ to North London Collegiate thanks to our in-depth study on Education with Beth and Clare. We all walked along the corridors of the infamous Bryant & May Matchstick Factory with Roxy and Amy as young matchgirls leading the Strike of 1888! Alicia and Tamara led the way to further improvements in medicine and lectured us on population growth. Charlotte and Sofia embraced the cold streets of Whitechapel in 1888. As for Patrice and Maddie, well, we decided to leave them in the workhouse thanks to the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834! Last year’s History results were a 100 per sent pass rate and I am certain of similar great results from our 2010 cohort. They have worked tirelessly and their efforts have been unstinting!
As regards Year 10, the girls sat their first History modular examination on International Relations and along the way we have travelled back to the 1900s examining cameos from Kaiser Wilhelm to David Lloyd George, the conflict between the empires and the ramifications of a world at war. I also wish these history students success in this exam!
In terms of Key Stage 3, I have rarely seen such fine historians and long may this continue. The names of which are too numerous to mention. However, we have all come to the conclusion that history matters. So think ahead – think history! For the future, stay true to “H.E.R B.R.U.V.L.I.P.A.S” in order to unlock the secrets behind the evidence and start our own revolution!
Miss B Nee
Head of History
|
