History

The History syllabus at the Dragon aims not only to teach children about past events but also seeks to develop the processes and skills by which children can evaluate major events and developments of the past and present. At the Dragon, the study of history is not seen as merely an academic discipline but also as a subject crucial to the development of the individual pupil's knowledge and analytical skills. The department's teachers aim to bring history alive making it relevant to life today.

We are fortunate at the Dragon to have access to technological advances which help to convey our love of the subject to the pupils. The children are no longer reliant on simply the textbook but with the huge array of material available over the internet there is a wealth of information to support their learning. With the use of the 4 ICT suites, pupils have access to the largest history resource in the world; it enables them to engage in research, evaluate arguments and develop presentational skills.

History in Year 4 begins with an investigation of the history of the Dragon School before moving on to focus on WW2, The Victorians, and finally the Romans. Topics are studied in an active and 'hands on' style using a variety of media, drama, research projects and ICT.
In Year 5 the pupils cover the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings followed by a study of Norman England and the Medieval Realms including life in towns and villages; the Great Plague and Peasants' Revolt, the Crusades and finish the year with a study of development of British Castles. In Year 6 the pupils start the looking at the Tudor Dynasty starting with the reign of Henry VII and ending with the Restoration; the pupils undertake a major independent project in the summer term based on the 'Tudors'. They then move on in Year 7 to the Seven Years' War leading onto the American War of Independence, the History of Medicine, French Revolution and a project on slavery. Once in Year 8 emphasis is on fulfilling each pupil's potential in their final examination. The syllabus: British History 1750-1900, entails the Napoleonic Wars, the Industrial Revolution, Political and Social Reform and the British Empire.

Streaming, Setting and Assessments

The children are taught in their forms in Year 4, 5 and 6 and then in their Humanities set in Year 7 and 8. There are class based assessments twice a term in years 5 and 6 and on-going assessments and school exams in Years 7 and 8.

History Trips and Special Events

As each pupil will verify, History at the Dragon is not a subject confined to the four walls of a classroom; we want our pupils to experience the past by trying to relive such events. The first hand experiences of personal memoirs and visits to historical sites bring it alive. Visits include a Year 5 trip to Windsor Castle on which they will base their castle project.
In Year 6 there is a 'Tudor Day' at the Dragon where they experience many aspects of Tudor life. At the Dragon we hope to encourage pupils to appreciate their heritage and culture in order that it may be preserved for the future.

For more information contact:
Clare Strickland
Head of History