History & Politics

Head of Department

Mrs J Fell

Teaching staff

Mr D Bruce
Mr J Webb

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History

History is more than dates and dusty manuscripts—it’s the story of us. It’s the gripping tale of power, ambition, and resilience, told through the lives of those who shaped the world we live in today. From Johannes Gutenberg revolutionizing communication with the printing press to Sophie Scholl’s fearless resistance against tyranny, history is alive with voices that still echo through time.

At Ripon Grammar School, we don’t just teach history—we try to bring it to life. Step into the shoes of Emma of Normandy as she navigates the treacherous courts of Anglo-Saxon England, re-enact the Battle of Hastings as an Anglo-Saxon housecarl or a Norman archer, or attempt to make your fortune as a ‘Cotton King’ in 19th century Britain. Over the course of our studies, we explore both British and world history giving students the grounding in knowledge and skills to help them navigate the challenges of the 21st century.

Just as William the Conqueror reshaped England after 1066, so too must we learn from the past to shape our future. History teaches us not just what happened, but why—and how we can respond to the great challenges of our own time. The Times newspaper rates History as a key facilitating subject for entrance to the top university courses and the department is rightly proud of the achievements of the History students, many of whom go on to study the discipline or related disciplines at the top universities in the country.

Summary of subject content:

Lower school (KS3)

Students follow the National Curriculum, which entails a chronological and thematic progression from the Norman Conquest through to developments in 20th century history.

Year 7: 1066 – 1603

Year 8: 1603 – 1900

Year 9: 1900 - present

Upper school (KS4/GCSE)

Learners currently study German history from 1890-1945, International Relations between 1918 and 1939, the reign of Edward I, and a history of empire and migration to and from Britain from the Saxons to the present day.

All units are subject to an examination in the summer term of Year 11.

Exam board: GCSE AQA History

Please see the department's Sharepoint area for extensive revision resources including podcasts, revision notes and past papers.

Sixth Form (A Level)

Examined units are Britain: Challenge and Transformation 1851 - 1964 and the Cold War 1945 - 1991. Exams are in the summer of Upper Sixth. 

Please see the department’s Sharepoint area for a large number of resources relating to A Level history.

Students also study for the NEA (Non-Examined Assessment). This coursework involves students researching Slavery and Abolition in the United States from 1775 - 1877 and writing a 4,500 word paper, plus a review of primary and secondary sources.

Exam board: AQA history (7041/1G and 7041/2R)

Trips, special projects, extra-curricular clubs/activities

Year 7 – Castles trip to Richmond and Middleham – Summer Term

Year 8 – Beamish Open Air Museum – Spring Term

Year 9 – Eden Camp and York Castle Museum – Spring Term

GCSE trip to Germany (Munich and Nuremberg) which runs every other year, open to students of GCSE history in Years 10 and 11

A Level trip to the USA which runs every other year, open to students of A Level History and/or Politics in Years 12 and 13. 

The department also runs a weekly History Film Club open to students from Years 7-11, watching historical films such as Forrest Gump, Jojo Rabbit, The Imitation Game, etc.

Senior History & Politics Society, The Cincinnati seeks to support students seeking to study History, Politics or related courses at university through a programme of external speakers and enrichment opportunities.

Additional information

All teachers within the department share a passion for the discipline of History and seek to nurture students' enthusiasm for the subject. All teachers have particular fields of interest and are more than happy to lend students specialist texts ahead of university interview. The History department has a very good range of books available and students can augment their understanding of topics from the historiography of the Roman Republic to the debate surrounding Chamberlain's policy of appeasement.