History

History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.

David McCullough, author and historian

Recent international incidents such as those in Palestine, Korea and Georgia all have their roots in the history of those regions, making history arguably more important than ever for anybody seeking to understand the world around them.

History is a core subject studied by all first-year boys at Tonbridge, and it has a consistently strong take-up at both GCSE and A-level. The History department aims to ensure that boys develop a genuine enjoyment of the subject, while at the same time acquiring key skills; the ability to read historical sources with discernment, and to construct balanced and articulate arguments. Such skills provide invaluable training for the mind, and the study of history gives our pupils a powerful tool for understanding both the past and the present.

The Novi course gives an introduction to some of the main themes of 20th century history, looking at the First World War, the development of America into a world superpower, and the American civil rights movement that has recently culminated in the election of Barack Obama

In the second and third year we broaden this study of the twentieth century following the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus. This includes a study of international relations from 1919 to the present day and in-depth studies of Nazi Germany and Communist Russia. In recent years our candidates have almost all achieved A or A* grades at GCSE.

At sixth-form the department follows the EdExcel course offering a choice between the early-modern period, focussing on the Tudors, Martin Luther and Louis XIV, and the modern period focussing on 19th century Britain, the unification of Italy and Germany and the causes and course of the American Civil War.

The Facilities

The department has six classrooms, five of which have Mimio capture bars which allow the whiteboards to used as interactive digital whiteboards. It has, both within the department and in the central Smythe library, a large and up-to-date academic library ranging from course textbooks for the Novi to newly-published academic monographs for use in sixth-form coursework. There are subscriptions to a number of historical journals, and a growing collection of digital resources ranging from DVD's to a departmental account on youtube.

Staff

The department has 7 members of staff, and the Headmaster also teaches each novi set for half a term each, ensuring that he has taught everyone in their first year here.

Beyond The Classroom

Pursuits Classes

The Department runs help and advice sessions for all boys on Monday or Friday pursuits periods throughout the year. All members of the department assist with this on a rota basis. These classes are expanded in the run-up to exams to provide focussed revision classes for each year group.

History Society

The History Society holds talks by visiting academics and members of the common room for both junior and senior boys throughout the year. The society publishes an annual magazine, Primary Source, written and edited by members of the lower sixth.

Departmental Trips

Each year in the Michaelmas half-term the department runs a very popular trip for the Novi to the battlefields of the First World War.

Oxbridge History

The history department has a successful tradition of getting boys into Oxford and Cambridge. From the lent term of the lower-sixth year Potential Oxbridge candidates are offered a programme of seminars outside lesson time to develop their interest in, and understanding of, history. The emphasis is very much on developing the boys own learning skills and interests, and encourages them to take the initiative in leading seminar discussions and broadening their reading beyond the confines of the A-level curriculum.

Competitions

Boys with a real talent for history are encouraged to enter any of a number of history essay-writing competitions that are held each year both for sixth-formers and for younger boys. This year a Tonbridge historian won a national essay competition run by the Imperial War Museum about the impact of the First World War on his local community.