History

Course summary

At Hurtwood we study both the 19th and 20th centuries, with a strong emphasis on the latter period and on a global view of events. Students can relate more effectively to these time periods than, say, the medieval period. The philosophy behind teaching the Modern period is that all the students will have a far more informed perception of the world they live in and will be able to follow current affairs with far greater appreciation than those with only a shallow and Euro-centred knowledge of the present day. The department teaches synoptically, building up the student’s understanding of some of the key forces which shaped the landscape of the twentieth century. This enables us, in A2 to forensically examine the history of Britain as an imperial power and an international influence from the 18th to the 20th centuries. This will provide a strong foundation for post Sixth Form study. Hurtwood is a bridge between school and University study, and the Department is focused on providing our students with the skills to thrive at that next level. Overall, our courses provide pupils with a thorough understanding of the political, social, cultural and religious issues of the past, both through investigative learning and from the perspectives of contemporaries and historians.