Embedded Files
"Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it".
"Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it".
George Santayana
HISTORY is a rigorous academic subject that fires pupils’ curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. Pupils consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like, how these societies organised their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions. As they do this, they develop a chronological and thematic framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. They see the diversity of human experience, and understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society.
Studying history is important because it allows us to understand our past, which in turn allows us to understand our present. If we want to know how and why our world is the way it is today, we have to look to history for answers. It is often said that “history repeats itself,” but if we study the successes and failures of the past, we may, ideally, be able to learn from our mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.
Studying history can provide us with insight into our cultures of origin as well as cultures with which we might be less familiar, thereby increasing cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
In history lessons, pupils explore and examine evidence, weigh it up and reach their own independent conclusions. To do this they need to be able to research, sift through the evidence with a critical eye, and argue for their point of view – skills that are highly prized in adult life.
Page updated
Report abuse