Academic : History

Stephen Fry wrote, "The biggest challenge facing the great teachers and communicators of history is not to teach history itself, nor even the lessons of history, but why history matters. History is not the story of strangers, aliens from another realm; it is the story of us had we been born a little earlier. "

The History Department at Truro High School encourages girls to imagine what it would be like to be a plague victim, or a cotton-mill worker, or Marie Antoinette, or rotting in the trenches, or driving a train to Auschwitz. We foster inquisitiveness, the ability to rigorously analyse, to interpret evidence and to organise thoughts and responses with precision and style. Above all, we work to ensure that learning History can make a difference to how the girls view themselves, the world around them and the future.

In Years 7 to 9 the girls explore life in England in medieval times, how art can be used to learn about continuity and change, how the industrial revolution wrought change and reaction and about the significance of the French Revolution. They also consider the role of Napoleon Bonaparte in European history, the reasons for and consequences of the growth of the British Empire and the First World War in detail.

At GCSE we follow the AQA Modern World History course which includes international relations in the twentieth century as well as studying governments in action in Russia and Germany between the wars. Our work at A Level is varied and highly stimulating. Units include in-depth study of European Fascisms, nineteenth century British political and social history and the causes and consequences of Britain's involvement in the Second World War.