We are delighted to announce that our History and Politics Department has been awarded a gold Quality Mark from the Historical Association, becoming only the third secondary school in East Anglia to do so and the first in Suffolk.
The award follows a rigorous assessment process, during which the school compiled a portfolio of evidence against rigorous criteria. The process took a year to complete and the department had to demonstrate a number of things including how the curriculum is constructed, how pupils are supported and provided with effective feedback and how the team is led. The process culminated with a visit from Robin Whitburn, Lecturer in History Education at University College London, in September, where he observed lessons and met with a group of pupils.
In his report, the assessor commented that “There has been a rapid improvement in the overall direction of the History Department over the past two years, leading to better academic outcomes and a higher status of history across the school.”
Oliver Roe, Head of History and Politics, said, "We're very proud that that our efforts to improve History at RHS have been recognised by such a prestigious organisation as the Historical Association. The process of achieving this award and becoming a Quality Mark department is a testament to the excellent History provision at the school. We would like to thank all pupils studying History at RHS for their ongoing hard work and engagement in the subject; this award certainly could not have been achieved without their engagement and belongs to them."
Emi S, Year 13, comments, “I particularly enjoyed delving into historiography at the beginning of Year 13 and the various differing 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 G, Year 12, comments, “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.”
Our History Department will be able to keep the Quality Mark for three years and will then reapply to keep the QM status.