History Department at Salesian School

We are a strong team who pride ourselves on working hard to ensure that every student reaches their full potential and enjoys History. In 2019 our students achieved 82% 9 – 4 at GCSE and 61% A*-B at A-Level and several went on to study History at university.

The History Department at Salesian is an exciting place to be. Our team is made up of colleagues with a broad range of experience and specialist expertise. We have a great team ethos and our positive energy and enthusiastic approach makes it a great department to work in.

At Key Stage Three we teach a diverse curriculum across Year 7-9, providing students with the ability to not only deepen their historical knowledge and understanding but also master key historical skills. The range of topics we cover include the Norman Conquest, Medieval Life, Warfare through Time, Tudors and Stuarts, Slavery, Civil Rights, Industrial Revolution and World War One and World War Two.

We have a large uptake at GCSE, teaching the following Edexcel syllabus, Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39, The American West c.1835-1895, Henry VIII and his ministers 1509-40 and Medicine in Britain c.1250-present.

With the Sixth Form constantly growing at Salesian, there are plenty of opportunities for those who are interested in teaching at Key Stage 5. We have a strong cohort of A-Level Historians and offer the following Edexcel specification, The Rise and Fall of Fascism in Italy 1911-46, Germany and West Germany 1918-89 and Rebellion and Disorder under the Tudors 1485-1603.

Extending the History curriculum outside the classroom is very important to us at Salesian, to help further students historical appreciation and provide wider opportunities. Our trips range from Horrible Histories, Battlefields Trip to France and Sixth Form residential to Krakow, Poland visiting Auschwitz.

The school plays a lead role in the Teach South East SCITT and we therefore have opportunities for colleagues at all stages of their career development from ECTs to those seeking positions of responsibility such as; mentoring, training and developing others.

Would you like to develop your skills further and be part of a forward-thinking department? Please feel free to contact me for further details. I look forward to meeting you.

Sophie Rider

Head of Department