Departments

History & Politics

“To be ignorant of what happened before you were born is to be ever a child”
Cicero 106-43 BC

Teaching Staff

The Department is staffed by four specialist History/Politics teachers.
Mrs Colette Wood (Head of History and Politics)
Mr Ken Dawson
Mr Gareth McKillen
Mr Keith Williamson

Aims

It is our aim that pupils will:

• Develop an interest in the past and appreciate the motives and reactions of difference individuals or groups.
• Acquire knowledge and understanding of the human past and an understanding of the development of the contemporary world.
• Develop skills in critical thinking and source analysis.
• Understand that historical events have a multiplicity and causes and thus will give rise to controversy and debate.
• Develop communication skills including an ability to present information and formulate arguments and reach conclusions both orally and in writing.
• Develop amongst pupils an interest in local and global politics, with particular emphasis on the relevance of Politics on our day-to-day lives.

Key Stage 3

The Department has implemented the Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum enthusiastically. In Year 8 pupils are introduced to the skills and capabilities demanded by the study of history and as part of that investigate the history of Down High School. They also study the Norman impact on the medieval world followed by a study of the Native Americans. In Year 9 pupils study key events in the period 1500 – 1900 including the Reformation. The Williamite wars, the influence of the American and French Revolutions and the development of Irish Nationalism and Unionism. In Year 10 pupils study the First World War, the Russian Revolution and modern Irish history.

Key Stage 4

Pupils follow the CCEA specificiation with a focus on German history, Modern Northern Ireland history and the Cold War.

 

AS/A2 History

The CCEA History specification is followed. For the AS examinations pupils study Russia and Germany in the interwar years. At A2 they study the clash of ideologies in Europe and Ireland 1775 – 1800.

AS/A2 Politics

The CCEA Politics specification is followed. At AS pupils study the politics of Northern Ireland and British Government executive, legislature and judiciary. At A2 pupils study the American Government, comparative politics and a unit on political power.

Facilities & Resources

The History and Politics department employs a variety of resources to help bring the past to life. The installation of data projectors in history classrooms has enabled access to the internet and a wide range of audio-visual materials. History and Politics students regularly make use of the ICT suite and the Margaret Curry Library.

Achievements and Successes

The department facilitates a Current Affairs Society and has hosted prominent public figures including Sir Hugh Orde and Caitriona Ruane. All pupils are given an opportunity to participate in educational visits including a French/History trip to the battlefields of France. Many of our students go on to study History and or Politics at university including Oxbridge. Examination results are consistently very good and above the Northern Ireland grammar school average. In recent times Politics students have come first and second in Northern Ireland.