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, we examine the Middle Ages andthe English Reformation. Pupils will compare and contrast the actions of different English kings during this period, as well as the those of rulers of the Islamic Empire. In the second year, students investigate the English Civil War, the French Revolution, and aspects of the 19th century, analysing the causes and consequences of epoch-changing events and questioning how significant they were. Third year students follow a 20th century course, which begins with World War One and charts the road to World War Two and on to events of more recent times.

The GCSE syllabus we follow is the Edexcel Modern World History. All students take courses on International Relations 1943-91, either Germany or the USA between the wars, War and the transformation of British Society 1931-51, and a controlled assessment task on Vietnam.

A Level historians have a choice between an Early Modern and a Modern course, using the Edexcel exam board. In the Lower 6th, the early modernists look at the Luther, Lutheranism and the German Reformation 1517-55, the European Witchcraze, c.1580-1650, and Henry VIII: Authority, Nation and Religion, 1509-1540. The modernists study Russia in Revolution, 1881-1924, Stalin’s Russia, 1924-53, and Britain and the Nationalist Challenge in India, 1900-47. There is also opportunity to go beyond the 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 Revolution, Republic and Restoration: England 1629-67, whilst the modernists study the issue of Civil Rights in America (coursework) and From Kaiser to Führer, Germany 1900-45.

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 and New York for the GCSE students. As part of the History Society, we host a number of visiting speakers and arrange many theatre and cinema trips. Various 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 and writes articles for the GCSE Hindsight magazine. Other responsibilities include being a tutor in Harestone House and running the Debating Society.

Nick Mills, BA (Hons) Liverpool, PGCE (London) - Teacher of History. Head of Viney House (from January 2010)
A graduate of the University of Liverpool. Joined Caterham in 2007 having previously taught at Alleyn’s School. He runs the History Society, mentors PGCE students and organises superb overseas trips. Nick coaches rugby and occasionally plays it too. From January 2010 he will be head of boys boarding.

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) Exeter, PGCE (Exeter), part-time Teacher of History
Sally joined Caterham in 2007 after a career in industry followed by a return to teaching ten years ago. She lives and breathes History with interests from Egyptology to the Middle Ages and Henry VII to the D-Day invasions (on which subject she is currently writing a novel). She is a prolific examiner and writer. Other responsibilities include helping with the CCF.

Tom Murphy, MA (Oxon.), Deputy Head Curriculum, Teacher of History and Politics
Tom joined the school in 1998 and has taught History across all year groups and Politics in the Sixth Form. His specialisms are too numerous to mention but what he doesn’t know about early modern history and American politics, for example, is not worth knowing. Tom is a former ‘very’ senior examiner for Edexcel. Other responsibilities: Tom is Deputy Head (Curriculum).

Toby Cooper MA AKC PGCE (Durham) Second in the History Department and Teacher of Politics

Toby studied History at undergraduate and postgraduate level at King’s College London, specialising in Medieval History for his MA, whilst also being elected an associate after passing the relevant theological and philosophical exams. Toby went on to take his PGCE at Durham University in 2005 and joined Caterham in September 2010 after five years working at Epsom College. He is an experienced A Level examiner for Edexcel Politics. Toby teaches History across the age ranges including A Level, teaches Politics at A Level and is a tutor in Harestone House. He also leads the Politics Society and coaches cricket.