History

'But why do we have to study History, Sir, as it's all about the past?' is a fairly common refrain among youngsters eager to get on with enjoying the present. Well, aside from the stories of sometimes glorious but nearly always bloody battles on land and at sea, power struggles between the great and the not always good, religious persecution that down the centuries has given rise to tales of both terrible suffering and incredible bravery, and a large dose of murder, mystery and suspense, then I find myself unable to combat this argument!

Preparing a case, arguing a point of view coherently, studying historical documents with a forensic eye for detail, are all skills that will be learned over time and which will prove useful later on in so many different walks of life.

History affords the young an opportunity to begin to understand how and why the world is where it is today, and this understanding will be developed through reading books, the internet, visits to sites of historical interest and by asking questions. I rest my case!