History School Trip

history

The study of History is brought alive at Wetherby Preparatory School by employing varied teaching techniques: traditional historical enquiry; role-play; visits to places of historical interest and vigorous discussion.

Whilst the curriculum has, as its core, English and later British History, our culture is placed within both a European and global context through the study of wider, related themes, for example the Reformation or the ascendancy of European empires.

Boys are prepared for the Common Entrance exam by studying the Common Entrance topic, ‘The Making of the United Kingdom’ from Year 7. In these last two years, heightened emphasis is given to the skills required for successful Common Entrance examination, including extended analysis of source material; the writing of sustained, written pieces and independent judgement of topics studied.

Wetherby boys leave our school as able and confident historians, prepared to address with confidence the challenges of History at GCSE level. Whilst due emphasis is placed on interactive, dynamic learning, we unashamedly expect boys to learn factual history and to engage in sustained, academic analysis of complex themes. Boys also learn the importance of taking pride in their work with a high standard of presentation expected.

Throughout their time at Wetherby Preparatory School, the boys make many historical visits to places of interest in and around London including the Old Operating Theatre, Imperial War Museum and Hampton Court Palace.

Each year a selected cohort of Year 7 and 8 boys will enter the prestigious Townsend Warner History prize and in recent years the boys have performed exceptionally well, producing the winner in 2016.

As well as the normal Common Entrance lessons, the department also run a Historical Society where many topics are discussed and studied such as; Castle building, Historical conspiracies, Interpretation and even the History of Sport.

Donnie Cox
Head of History