History Aims and Objectives

The general Aims of the History course are:

To ensure continued debate about the importance of studying History, its specific content and its place within the curriculum;
To develop expertise and facilitate the sharing of good practice in the teaching of History;
To promote the importance of History in engaging pupils with moral, social and cultural issues;
To give pupils, through the study of History, a better understanding of this country in a global context, and of their own place within it;
To develop in teachers the confidence to introduce pupils to challenging materials, and to promote intellectual independence and critical thinking.

The Objective of the course is to address three general questions:

1. Why should we teach History?

2. What History should we teach?

3.How should we teach it?

In doing so, it concerns itself with the principles that should drive education, as well as with practical questions such as:

In general terms, what historical subjects should pupils have studied at each of the Key Stages?
What role, if any, does history have in helping young people to develop a sense of national identity, shared social and political values and informed citizenship?
What kinds of teaching are most likely to develop in pupils a capacity for independent critical thinking combined with intellectual rigour?
What constitutes a good textbook – and a bad one? Are current needs for teaching resources being met? If not, how can they be?
What are the best ways to approach the teaching of difficult materials so as to make them enjoyable and rewarding for all pupils?