General Introduction/Information

At Bromsgrove International school students study a broad and balanced History curriculum with a focus on World History. Students learn about the balance of power both within and between nations.  They see how ideas, society and government have evolved through the ages.  They see how ideas and influences have spread across place and time to form the modern world.  Students develop ideas: reasoned argument and debate is therefore something we actively encourage. When studying the past, the key issues for students at Bromsgrove are what happened, why it happened and how the bias and prejudice of past and current sources gives us clues as to their ideas and opinions.

We try to bring the past to life with multimedia and displays of pictures, flags and artifacts. We also aim to encourage theories about the past through discussion, with students supporting their ideas with evidence and interpretation.  We encourage thought and originality.  Students are encouraged to see both sides of an argument and this enhanced perspective helps them to become more persuasive writers, speakers and leaders.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

In Year 7 students study pre history as well as two great formative powers in the East and West: Imperial China and Rome.  They consider the influence of the nomads of the steppe such as the Mongols on the course of civilization in the West and China, how the break up of the Roman Empire and the growing power of the church were important in the development of Europe, and the growth of Islamic societies.

In Year 8 students analyse events, ideas and people that helped to shape the modern world.  They see the connections between the Renaissance, the Reformation, the American and French Revolutions and the spread of Trade, Industry and Colonialism.  They look at the ideas, economic factors and beliefs underlying these events and how they these are still relevant today.

In Year 9 students look at the major conflicts of the twentieth century, the hot and cold wars, genocide and globalisation.  They look at factors such as ideologies, population, industry, raw materials, nationalism and imperialism.  

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

In Key Stage 4 students study for the IGCSE Qualification.  The main topics are international relations in the twentieth century, with a special focus unit on the modern history of China.