History Extension Group

December 8th 2022

The History Extension Group exists to give keen historians a chance to look beyond the GCSE and A Level syllabus at issues of historical, political and social interest. We have had 18 boys from the three senior years in the school attend and discuss topics of interest.

This term we have ranged widely, looking at iconic photographs on the politics of protest, discussing the proposition that historians should not be political pundits, considering how to reform effectively using the Reformation as a case study, and analysing what fascism means with an eye on Italian fascism (the thought of looking at Hitler again was too much and Italy’s new government provided an opportunity too good to miss). Finally we looked at the concept of Exceptionalism and how valid it might be, with a sideways look at the lyrics of National Anthems.

There has also been some fun with a closely contested History quiz in which the Fifth Form/Upper Sixth team narrowly triumphed over the might of the Lower Sixth. Finally, we have looked at how to write a good essay by focusing on the range of university history essay competitions on offer and considering the merits of some winning entries from last year.

What has been a particular joy is that boys from all three years have had the opportunity to rub shoulders and in some cases lock intellectual horns with other bright historians from different years. It has provided a freshness to the debate and hopefully has inspired boys to want to study History at a higher level.

Giles Reynolds, History Teacher