History & Geography

History and Geography help students understand how people, places and societies have shaped the world we live in today. Through our bilingual curriculum, students develop historical knowledge, geographical understanding and the curiosity to explore the connections between them.

From learning about their local community to investigating ancient civilisations, world cultures and changing environments, students are encouraged to ask questions, examine evidence and consider different perspectives. Along the way, they develop critical thinking, analytical skills and a deeper appreciation of the diversity of our world.

History & Geography Through the Years

Early Years

The foundations of History and Geography are laid through the EYFS area of learning, "Understanding the World". Through stories, exploration and play, children develop an awareness of people, places and the environment around them. They compare the past and present, learn about different communities and cultures, explore maps and local landmarks, and observe seasonal and environmental changes. These early experiences lay the foundations for historical and geographical enquiry.

Lower Primary

Students begin to develop a sense of chronology while exploring significant events, historical figures and ancient civilisations. In Geography, they learn to use maps, identify continents and oceans, compare physical and human environments, and investigate topics such as rivers, mountains and climate. Through photographs, artefacts, maps and other primary sources, students begin to ask questions, interpret evidence and make connections between the past and the present.

Upper Primary

As students progress, they investigate increasingly complex historical periods and geographical issues. They explore topics such as Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution, alongside studies of population, migration, ecosystems, sustainability and global interdependence. They compare historical sources, interpret maps and data, debate different viewpoints and develop the confidence to construct well-supported arguments based on evidence.

Beyond the Classroom

History and Geography also come to life through fieldwork, educational visits and residential trips that immerse students in the places they study. London's rich heritage provides countless opportunities for exploration, from investigating world civilisations at the British Museum to studying the River Thames, architecture and urban landscapes through local fieldwork. Students also take part in residential trips linked to the curriculum, with past destinations including the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, the châteaux of the Loire Valley, Viking York and Roman Bath. These first-hand experiences encourage students to ask questions, make connections and develop a deeper understanding of how people, places and events have shaped our world.

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Crossed Perspectives

Our bilingual curriculum enables students to explore history and geography through both French and British perspectives. They compare different interpretations of historical events, geographical issues and world cultures, learning that there is rarely a single way of understanding the past.

For example, they might examine the Treaty of Versailles, the French Revolution or the World Wars through different national perspectives, encouraging them to question evidence, consider contrasting viewpoints and develop well-reasoned arguments.