History
“We are not makers of history, we are made by history.”
—Martin Luther King Jr
In History, we seek to understand the world of the past and the many different experiences beyond our own. History students accumulate knowledge and empathy, so that we have a myriad of ways to analyse our world and humanity.
The international nature of Concord, which seeks to builds harmony among its global community, means that it is very important that our students study a diverse past. Students cover periods of interest from around the world, whilst studying alongside friends for whom that might be their national history. This introduces new perspectives and enhances critical thinking.
History at Concord teaches young people a broader history, so they can build a respect for diverse communities whose experiences, ethnicity, achievements and cultures differ from their own. Students leave us with a rich and detailed understanding of the world and our place within it.
Beyond the classroom, History students participate in several societies. The History, Politics and International Relations society, Law Society and Philosophy society are all supported by the department. Concord Historians are encouraged to enter competitions and recently have been supported to enter the Young Historians Awards, Spirit of Normandy Award and the Historical Association Great Debate (all via the Historical Association), The John Locke Competition (Cambridge), the Julia Wood prize (Oxford university) and the Robson History prize (Trinity College Cambridge)
74%
A*/A at A Level (2024)
92%
7-9 at GCSE (2024)
Form 3
In Form 3, students are taught a global view of History in a practical and interactive way. Students embark on a curriculum that prepares them for GCSE, but also for an international education.
IGCSE
Board
Cambridge IGCSE History
Mode of assessment
100% examination
Students at GCSE gain an understanding of historical knowledge and acquire skills for historical research. This course equips students with strong analytical and essay-writing skills to accompany them into A Level study and beyond. The syllabus looks at major international issues of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
A Level
Board
Cambridge International Education (CIE)
Mode of assessment
100% examination
A Level students learn the value and significance of world events in the past, gaining a deeper understanding of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Knowing how people lived in the past helps to understand modern world events.
Futures
Studying History equips students with a broad and transferable skill set, which is beneficial to many degree and career paths. History based on the distant past alone, and learning about modern history is greatly important in understanding current affairs, making A Level History a great asset for studying subjects like Economics, Politics and Law at Higher Education.