Gayhurst School

The study of History encourages pupils to consider how the past influences the present and to take an interest in the world around them. History is a blend of stories: adventure stories, romantic stories, murder mysteries and drama.
The aim at Gayhurst is to stimulate and enthuse pupils in such a way that they appreciate and enjoy the subject to the extent that they develop an appetite to want to know more and will continue their studies at their secondary school.
Although recall of knowledge and factual information is an important skill, History is not just a body of static knowledge. It should involve inquiry and investigation in which learning takes place through a range of activities: observing, listening, reading, drama, hypothesising and writing.

The Junior School, Years 1 to 3, largely follow the National Curriculum. History in Year 4 and 5 is a comparative study of three different eras: the Greeks, the Normans, the Victorians followed by life during the Second World War. Thereafter a chronological approach is adopted beginning with the Tudors in Year 6. In Year 7 pupils begin in 1660 through to 1750 with particular attention to the skills demanded from the Common Entrance Examination. Once in Year 8 the emphasis is on fulfilling each boy's potential in their final examination.