Welcome to the History department at Mosslands! We are looking forward to teaching you next year. Over the next three years you will study some really interesting history from Britain, the local area and the wider world. Some of it might be familiar and some of it will be completely new to you.

You will be taught next year by one of the four history teachers at Mosslands:

• Mr J. Cauldwell (History Subject Lead)
• Mr D. Hepworth (Head of Ruskin House)
• Mr S. Adair
• Mr L. White

Don’t worry about the amount of history that you have or have not studied in primary school. Some of the boys who join us in year 7 have not studied much history before, but they soon produce excellent work. We aim to teach you to think like historians – to explain things clearly, to consider both sides of an argument and to seek out the best evidence to support your claims. These will be valuable skills in your life, regardless of your future career.

Some of the topics that you will study in year 7 are the Norman conquest, Islamic civilisations, England in the Middle Ages, power and the people, 1200 - 1500 and changing religion under the Tudors. Each topic is clearly structured and has lots of supporting materials so you don't get lost. You will also do some homework where you can broaden your horizons and learn extra information that we might not cover in lessons.

We encourage our boys to read widely and do their own independent research, especially as they get older. If you are looking for something to read this summer, why not check out the Historical Association’s comprehensive list of historical fiction? There is a link to the list below; you’re sure to find something from a period of history that interests you!

You will have two history lessons each week at key stage 3 (years 7 to 9). This will increase to three lessons per week if you choose to study history at GCSE (years 10 and 11). The history department is located on the ground floor of D block (rooms D03, D04 and D05).

If you are looking for something to do over the summer holiday, why not visit a local history site and write a report about what you find out? Feel free to print and use the guide below if you're not sure where to start. Your history teacher will be happy to give you an accolade in September when you give it to him!