Students from the only Suffolk school recognised for its excellence in history provision say that this was achievable because their teachers “always go the extra mile”.
Royal Hospital School’s (RHS) history and politics department has been awarded the Gold Historical Association Quality Mark, becoming the third secondary school in East Anglia to achieve the recognition and the first in the county.
The award follows a rigorous assessment process that took a year to complete and during which the school compiled a portfolio of evidence against extensive criteria.
The department had to demonstrate a number of things, including how the curriculum is constructed, how students are supported and provided with effective feedback, as well as how the team is led.
The process culminated with a visit from Robin Whitburn, lecturer in history education at University College London, where he observed lessons and met with a group of students.
In his report, Mr Whitburn, wrote about a "rapid improvement" in the overall direction of the RHS history department over the past two years, leading to better academic outcomes and a higher status of history across the school.
One of the pupils at RHS, Emi Sharples, said: “I particularly enjoyed delving into historiography at the beginning of Year 13 and the various differing of interpretations of what history is – it has allowed me to widen my historical judgements as well as suggest what purpose history serves in our world.”
Thomas Gower, a Year 12 pupil, added: “The history department at RHS are always very supportive and encouraging. It's great to learn such an interesting subject under the guidance of expert teachers, who always go the extra mile.”
Oliver Roe, the head of history and politics at RHS, said the school staff is very proud that their efforts to improve history at RHS have been recognised by such a prestigious organisation.
He added: “The process of achieving this award and becoming a Quality Mark department is a testament to the excellent history provision provided by the whole department.”
RHS will hold the Quality Mark for the next three years.
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