History

The History Department at Caterham School aims to ensure that all students at the school develop skills of critical thinking, incisive analysis, effective oral and written argument, reading between the lines, essay writing and much, much more. History is not just a dry series of dates and events (though they do matter). It is an ongoing process of investigation, analysis, selection, debate, and writing. It is this process which inspires inquisitive, challenging and analytical minds to pursue the subject up the school and beyond.

At Key Stage 3, we encourage the students to make connections and contrasts across time and continents, societies and cultures; religions and politics. In the first year, the medieval period is enhanced by focussing on the theme of the problems of medieval kingship. Pupils study an area such as religion or rebellions and compare and contrast the responses of different English kings during the medieval period, as well as the response of rulers of the Islamic Empire. In the second year, the students investigate the significance of the English Reformation, English Civil War and French Revolution, analysing the causes and consequences of these epoch-changing events and questioning how revolutionary they were. Third year students investigate the era of modern warfare by looking at how 19th century industrial, economic, cultural, social and political change created a climate in which two world wars could occur, as well as analysing those wars and their causes and consequences.

The GCSE syllabus we follow is the Edexcel Modern World History. All students take courses on the Cold War and on America 1941-80 as well as two topics from Vietnam, USA: Boom and Bust, South Africa, the Middle East and Nazi Germany. The two coursework units of British history currently focus on the issue of whether the Tommies in WWI were ‘lions led by donkeys’ and on the rise and fall of Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists in the 1930s.

A Level historians have a choice between an Early Modern course and a Modern course. In the Lower 6th, the early modernists look at the European witch craze of the 16th and 17th centuries (coursework); The World Turned Upside Down: Monarchy and Republic in England, 1642-53; and France in Revolution, 1776-94. The modernists study France in Revolution, 1776-94; Russia in Revolution, 1905-17 (coursework); and Votes for Women. There is also opportunity to go beyond the relatively narrow confines of the syllabus, giving the classes a wider historical perspective. In the Upper 6th, the early modernists investigate the Golden Age of Spain (coursework) and the Mid-Tudor Crisis, 1547-58, whilst the modernists study the issue of Civil Rights in America (coursework) and the Nazi State. All Upper 6th students do an individual assignment, which gives them free rein to choose a topic and research it before writing up their findings.

Every year, some students go on to study History at university and, over the last few years, a number have won Oxbridge places. The department runs regular enrichment classes to push forward the historical thinking of those who desire to be further challenged.

The department uses a wide variety of teaching styles, understanding that students learn in different ways. The pupils can expect to be presented with ideas or questions of a genuinely challenging nature in every lesson. History is brought alive by the teachers’ genuine passion for their subject. Teachers and students alike make good use of the extensive departmental video and book libraries. Each year group goes out on a trip with the department once a year. Popular destinations include Rochester for the 1st year; Portsmouth Historical Dockyard for the 2nd year; the WWI battlefields for the 3rd year; and the National Archives for GCSE and sixth form groups. The annual October half-term trip abroad is always popular with destinations in recent years including Eastern Europe, Germany, Florence, Russia and, this year, Washington DC for the GCSE students. As part of the History Society, we have had a string of eminent university historians come to Caterham to give talks and we arrange a number of theatre and cinema trips. Numerous competitions are also run, promoting the sort of independent thinking and learning that other subjects can only talk about!

Rob Salem, BA (Hons) (Oxon.), PGCE (London), MA (London), Head of History, Teacher i/c Critical Thinking, Vice-President of Caterham School Debating Society

Rob started teaching in 1994, joining Caterham in 1999. He teaches History across all year groups, including modern and early modern A Level. He also teaches Critical Thinking, coaches Oxbridge students and takes enrichment seminars. Rob is an experienced examiner and team leader for Edexcel (AS Unit 1 and A2 Unit 6). Other responsibilities include being a tutor in Harestone House and running the Debating Society.

Nick Mills, BA (Hons) - Teacher of History Assistant Head of Fourth Year

A graduate of The University of Liverpool. Previously taught at Alleyn’s School, Dulwich, one of the country’s leading independent schools.

Michael Lesser, BA (Hons) Lancaster, MA (Ottowa) and MBA (Glasgow), Teacher of History, Director of Sixth Form

Michael was Head of the History Department until September 2000, when he became Head of Sixth Form. Michael teaches across all year groups, and has examined for the NEAB. His particular strengths lie in teaching 20th century History and he has a keen interest in teaching the history of the Middle East, South Africa and Russia. Other responsibilities include being Director of Sixth Form.

Sally Carter-Esdale, BA (Hons) Teacher of History