History and Politics

About the Department

'Historical awareness should be an essential part of the education of all young people.' Council of Europe

The History and Politics Department aims to assist pupils to achieve the best possible grades in public examinations. The study of the subjects develops highly sought after skills: the ability to absorb and analyse information; to write under pressure; to structure arguments and to deploy information. The Department believes that the exploration of the past develops knowledge that can counter myths and decipher prejudice, and that the study of politics enriches students' civic identities.

The Department has an excellent record of public examination success. Each year a good number of pupils go on to study the subjects at university. In addition, former students are actively involved in various political parties and organisations. A former student - Dr Clare Jackson - lectures in History at Cambridge University.

Teaching and Learning

History

In the Second Form students study the reign of James IV of Scotland, the Reformation and the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; Muslim Empires and the First World War. This allows for a variety of case studies to be explored and trips out to the Edinburgh Mosque and the Battlefields of Flanders.

In the Third Form, pupils study Scottish History at the time of the Union of the Crowns and Parliaments; Slavery and Race Relations in the USA; and an aspect of the Era of World War II - Holocaust.

Study for GCSE in the Fourth and Fifth Forms covers International Relations, 1919-39; Russia, 1905-1941; Nazi Germany (Coursework) and British society 1890 - 1918 (source based investigations).

The AS syllabus covers Italian unification 1815-70 and Gladstone and Disraeli

For A2 pupils study German Nationalism, 1789-1919 and Napoleon I

Government and Politics

The AS syllabus covers British Government and Politics, eg. democracy, elections, parties, pressure groups, Parliament, PM and Cabinet.

For A2, pupils study British and EU political issues, eg. the environment, economy, welfare state; and Britain and the European Union.

Activities

When the School's busy schedule allows, the Department likes to take pupils on visits that enrich the educational experience. Regular visits are made to historic sites in Edinburgh and to the Scottish Parliament. We have organised visits to London to visit the Imperial War Museum and the Westminster Parliament, the European Parliament in Strasbourg and to the World War I battlefields in Belgium.

History and Politics

John Elder (Head of Department)

John studied for his BA at Hull University before going to Glasgow University where he was awarded an M.Litt for a thesis on Scottish Politics. His teaching qualification is from Birmingham University. Before joining Loretto he taught in Liverpool where he developed an attachment to Everton. He has taught at Glasgow University and organised teacher training courses for the British Council in Romania. He is active in politics and has been a candidate in both local and national elections.

David Adamson

David graduated from the University of St Andrews in 1999. Ater a brief stint in the wine trade he returned to St Andrews to complete his PhD, which focused on comparing criminal law and insanity in Scotland and England. David joined the teaching staff at Loretto in 2008. His previous post was at Malvern College. In addtion to teaching History and Politics David is Head of the Sixth Form

Barry Cooper

Barry graduated from the University of St Andrew's and went into teaching after a year in the city working in recruitment consultancy. He worked for four years at Epsom College in Surrey before moving to Loretto in 2005. In addition to teaching History Barry coaches Hockey and Cricket, and is Director of Studies.