York lives and breathes history. Throughout school, the subject is taught to foster a lifelong curiosity in the history of this city, this country and the wider world.

In Pre-Prep, pupils learn about social history from their own family experiences of the past, alongside key historical events. ‘Wow’ events bring History to life and embed dates and facts; actors in costumes arrive unannounced from pirate ships and Victorian slums to surprise and delight our younger pupils.

From Year 1 onwards, pupils learn about intriguing historical times in more detail, gradually developing a historian’s research and detective skills. Visits to fascinating historical locations and expert visitors into school, such as an Ancient Egyptologist, ignite pupils’ interest. 

In Prep, History follows the National Curriculum throughout Key Stages 1, 2, and 3, with each year group studying ancient and modern civilisations, with cross-curricular links.

Historical school trips have included: Skipton Castle & Beningbrough Hall (Pre-Prep), The Yorkshire Museum (Year 3), Ryedale Folk Museum – in full Victorian costume – (Year 4) and The Armoury Museum, Leeds, (Year 7).

Find out more on our Making the Most of York and Beyond page.