History at Sunninghill, is so much more than teaching children a series of dates and events. It’s main purpose is to encourage all children to question, analyse and evaluate. The History syllabus at Sunninghill brings together the importance of understanding where we as individuals originate from, with a wider understanding of Europe and the world, and their impact on us.

Investigating Hollywood’s Interpretations of Historical Events

Our aim is to show the children at Sunninghill how History can both be exciting and relevant to today. We investigate whether we should trust the Hollywood epics and their interpretations of historical events, debating the interpretations of film directors versus historical truth.

Key Skills

All children develop the following key skills: a wide appreciation of chronological, a broad knowledge and understanding of a range of historical periods, source enquiry and interpretation and develop an ability to organise and communicate their ideas effectively.

Local History

We are extremely fortunate to have such a wealth of History on our doorstep. The History department has developed a number of exciting excursions to enhance the children’s learning. These have focused on understanding more about the history in Dorchester, looking in particular at the Romans. Trips to Maiden Castle have given the children the perfect opportunity to experience and empathise with the Celtic tribes who would have been truly terrified to have seen the advancing Roman Army. The children visit the Dorset County Museum to look at artefacts found in the immediate vicinity. We visit Hooke Court where the children experience a ‘Day in the Life of an Egyptian’ and they visit Nothe Fort as evacuees from World War II.

A Broader Experience

The Mary Rose as it is displayed at the ‘Historic Dockyards’ in Portsmouth

Excursions have also been organised further afield to places such as Portsmouth to see ‘The Mary Rose’, as part of the children’s studies of Tudor England and Westminster Abbey in London, to help the children understand history from a national perspective.

A Wider Perspective

The History department works closely with other departments in the school to enhance the children’s understanding of the topics they are studying. Art, Drama and English are just a few of the links History has made within Sunninghill.

Form 8 study ‘The Slave Trade’

– looking at it from both a historical and citizenship point of view

We continue to look forward.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk
http://www.npg.org.uk
http://www.headlinehistory.co.uk
http://www.dorsetcountymuseum.org
http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk
http://www.westminster-abbey.org