History General overview & picture: Passionate about History, this highly motivated department is keen to innovate and extend students to help them reach their full potential, as reflected in the consistently high grades achieved at GCSE and A level.  Every classroom is equipped for 21st century education, with interactive whiteboards and digital projectors; staff are already involved in pioneering use of the VLE, enabling students to stay in touch with them for extra support and guidance outside school hours. The popularity of History at KS4 and KS5 continues to grow, with students attracted by the depth and diversity of curriculum, combined with the dedication of the teaching staff.  It is a testament to this partnership that so many go on to read History at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. Through the department's links with the British Council, two Fortismere students have represented the UK in a prestigious international debate on the slave trade, led by MP John Prescott at The House of Commons. We also send 2 students each year on the highly valuable Lessons from Auschwitz Project. KS3 Year 7: Why have people moved around the world? Year 8: How has the relationship between the people and governments changed? Year 9: Has religion always been the main cause of conflict? KS4 GCSE Modern World (OCR), including: International Relations, 1919-1939 Germany, 1918-1945 Britain after World War Two Post 16 AS Level: Louis XIV Peter the Great A2: American Civil Rights coursework Elizabeth I Extra Curricular Trips to the Imperial War Museum and the Museum of London, as well as an annual Historical Fiction Day (with the English Department) At A Level we hope to run a trip to Versailles for students of Louis XIV.   The study of History involves so much more than just looking at events from the past. It should be about finding reasons for why changes took place and why these changes matter to us today. Although civilizations and cultures from the past are worth studying for their own sake, through linking the past with the present we can help place our own cultural and social values in perspective and thereby enrich our understanding of our contemporary environment. Studying History is also about learning skills. In order to make sense of the past we need to learn how to collect and *****yze evidence. This might involve looking at artifacts, written documents, political cartoons or TV footage. History students need to become skilled in dealing with bias and propaganda and in evaluating the reliability of material. Once evidence has been interpreted it then needs to be communicated appropriately to others. This might be in the form of an argumentative essay, a group presentation or a debate. These are all skills that are invaluable to students whatever they may end up doing in life.   We are an enthusiastic and dedicated Department. History is a very popular option at both GCSE and A-Level and exam results are consistently high. The Department is well equipped with up-to-date resources to which students have wide access. All history students at Key Stage 3 and 4 are given the opportunity to take part in an historical trip once a year, while A-Level students participate in at least one conference each year.