‘Studying the people of the past can give you real insight into people alive now. It will help you understand how and why humans behave as they do when confronted with the crises of today. Unless you become a lighthouse keeper or a hermit you’ll need to understand other people with all their complexities. Knowledge of people is the greatest asset of all.’ The Historical Association, 2004

The History Department aims to make the students at JESS see how many of the problems and strengths of their world today have their roots in the past and that that these roots still shape our behaviour today. In understanding their past, students will be better equipped to understand and make reasoned and ethical judgments about their actions today.

The History Department’s ethos is centred around ‘active learning' and participation in the classroom. A wide variety of techniques are employed, from film making to essay writing, to ensure this. This approach means that our students regularly enjoy stimulating and challenging lessons, making History a very popular subject at JESS.

Department Facilities
The Department comprises three teaching classrooms, which all contain Interactive Whiteboards. The students also have access to laptops, which are used for a variety of tasks including independent research and assignment completion.