What’s new in History & Politics this term?

The History & Politics department has been buzzing with Year 11s and 13s preparing for their exams, while our KS3 students have been exploring a variety of Horrible Histories.

Last term, Year 7 students showcased their research and literary skills by crafting their own Black Death historical fiction. After recreating our own medieval feudal society students wrote an account of their character’s personal experiences living during the plague. The outcomes were amazing, with two stories receiving honourable mentions: Mishel H., Yuquin C., and You L. Well done, Year 7s! It is hoped that this experience will encourage many to participate in next year’s Hilary Mantel Young Historical Writer Challenge.

Year 8s have been exploring the gruesome conditions of the East End of London and the impact of the Industrial Revolution. Using historical investigation techniques, they attempted to solve the mystery of Jack the Ripper’s identity by analysing post-mortem reports, assessing witness reliability, and piecing together gathered evidence. By the end, each student was able to present a unique judgement as to who the Ripper may have been—though the mystery still remains. Their studies are extended through an exploration of the symbiotic nature of industry and empire, investigating how the development of these entities fuelled each other.

Year 9s have continued their studies of the modern world, examining the complex nature of warfare and the atrocities it can produce. Viewing the Holocaust through the lens of personal accounts, students explored the terrain of persecutors, collaborators, and victims—an area that is often deeply complex and thought-provoking.

Throughout the year, the department has also run two competitions: a historical fiction challenge, Meanwhile, Elsewhere, and a reading challenge. Thank you to every student who has taken part in these opportunities, pushing themselves both personally and academically. I would also like to congratulate the first winner of the Young Historical Writer’s Challenge, which was awarded to Rachel C. for her powerful story Two Sides of the Same Grave.

Finally, the department sends its best wishes to all students undertaking end-of-year exams in Key Stage 3 and final exams for Years 11 and 13. Their hard work and dedication are sure to be rewarded, and the school looks forward to celebrating their successes.

Mrs Chantal Thompson
Head of History & Politics