History & Geography
History and Geography invite students to explore how people, places and environments shape our world. Taught bilingually in English and French, these subjects encourage students to investigate the past, understand the present and consider the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Through the study of societies, landscapes and cultures across different periods and regions, students develop a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped human civilisation and continue to influence our lives today. Alongside building strong subject knowledge, they learn to analyse evidence, think critically and engage thoughtfully with complex global issues.
What Students Experience
Across Middle School, students explore the people, places and events that have shaped our world, from the earliest human societies and the ancient civilisations of Egypt and Rome to medieval kingdoms, the Renaissance and the age of exploration. They investigate how empires rise and fall, how societies change over time, and how ideas, trade and migration have connected cultures across continents.
In Geography, students examine some of the defining issues of the twenty-first century, including population growth, urbanisation, climate change, energy, water and food security. Through case studies spanning London, Mumbai, the Amazon, Egypt and beyond, they explore the relationships between people, places and the environment, developing an understanding of both local and global challenges.
Studying History and Geography in both English and French enriches this experience by exposing students to different sources, case studies and cultural contexts. As they move between languages, they develop a broader understanding of the world and learn to approach complex questions with curiosity, empathy and an open mind.
Crossed Perspectives
A distinctive feature of History and Geography at Jeannine Manuel School is the Crossed Perspectives programme. Through studying the subject in both English and French, students compare how different cultures understand the same events, places and issues.
They might explore the Norman Conquest or examine the Napoleonic Wars from English and French perspectives, or compare different interpretations of historical sources and contemporary global issues. By engaging with multiple viewpoints, students learn to question evidence, embrace complexity and develop the critical thinking skills to engage confidently with an interconnected world.
Divider Dot Path
How Students Learn
Learning is enquiry-driven and collaborative. Students analyse historical sources, interpret maps and data, debate contemporary issues and investigate real-world case studies. They work with artefacts, photographs, documents and geographical information to develop well-supported arguments and communicate their ideas with confidence.
By evaluating evidence and making connections across periods, places and cultures, students become increasingly independent thinkers, equipped to ask thoughtful questions and appreciate the complexity of the world around them.
Beyond the Classroom
History and Geography come alive through regular fieldwork and educational visits in both the UK and further afield. Visits such as the British Museum, the Imperial War Museum and the Wiener Holocaust Library, alongside fieldwork and residential experiences, encourage students to encounter history where it happened and investigate geography through first-hand observation. These experiences make learning tangible while deepening their understanding of the places, people and events they study.
Looking Ahead
By the end of Middle School, students are confident in analysing evidence, weighing different interpretations and constructing well-reasoned arguments. These skills provide a strong foundation for the bilingual BFI programme, including the Histoire-Géographie, Géopolitique et Sciences Politiques (HGGSP) specialism, and for History or Geography in the IB. Above all, students leave Middle School with the curiosity, bicultural understanding and intellectual confidence to engage critically with the complexities of the modern world.