A leading boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 12-18 in Perthshire, Scotland
Overview
History is a widely respected qualification for careers such as Law, Accountancy, the Civil Service, the Armed Services, Journalism, Banking and Teaching. Apart from its intrinsically broad academic and cultural values, it provides training in handling and assessing evidence and in presenting clear, substantiated argument and analysis, which is an asset whatever career option is chosen. Every year it is a popular uptake as a subject to read at University. Many of our historians go on to study at major Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Manchester, Leeds, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. The Department has been praised by HMIE for both depth and delivery. It requires reflection, reading and a sharpened mind.
Syllabus
Third Form
History in the Third Form provides a grounding in some of the culture changing movements that have shaped the world, covering the issues of the Reformation, Renaissance, and the French Revolution, whilst providing an understanding of the key techniques required for further study at GCSE instilling the powers of analysis and the wherewithal to cope with evidence and to seek the truth.
The GCSE course follows the OCR Modern World Syllabus. Fourth Form includes an overview of International Relations 1919-39 and an in-depth study of Britain 1900-18. Fifth Form starts with the coursework element on Change in Cuba 1950 -2010, followed by a study of Russia 1900-1941.
History is very often taken in combination with English, Economics, a Modern Language, Latin or Geography; it also combines well with Mathematics and Biology. The combination of History and Ancient History is not accepted by some Scottish Universities: please consult House Staff, Careers and HOD for further information.
It is preferable to hold a B grade at GCSE or Standard Grade for those who choose AS/A2 Level History. History is a robust and respected subject which involves thought and reading. However equivalent grades in other arts subjects will also serve as qualification for those who wish to take up History in the Sixth Form. At AS and through to A2 it is perfectly possible, after consultation, to take up History without any previous qualification in the subject. We have had students who have not taken History at GCSE take it up in the VIth Form but this is unusual and should be both checked and monitored by advice from the HOD.
AS Level involves two modules the British History Enquiry (Document-based), The Normans in England 1066-1100, and the European History Period Study (Essay-based), The Crusades and Crusader States 1095-1192.
The A2 level comprises two modules:
Historical Investigations and Interpretations: Internally assessed and externally moderated coursework. Candidates will produce 2 x 2000 word essays: a task based on interpretations in passages set by OCR and an individual investigation. This will focus on either King John or Philip II of Spain.
Historical Themes (Essay-based): Rebellion and Disorder in Tudor England.
Dr Robin R Mundill MA (Hons), PhD, Dip Ed, PGCE, FIHGS, (Head of Department, joined Glenalmond in 1997)
Robin R Mundill trained in Scotland and formerly taught on supply in Fife and Tayside and then at Christ's Hospital, Horsham from 1987-1997. With his wife, Elaine, he ran a Girls' Boarding House, Coleridge B (aged 11-18). His PhD thesis proved skills of research, analysis and historiography. His first book England's Jewish Solution was published in 1998 by CUP (Paperback edition 2003) and won the A. S . Sigismund Diamond Prize. He has delivered lectures on Medieval Anglo-Jewish History in the Universities of Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, Southampton, UCL, Cornell, Trier, Glasgow, St Andrews and at the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds 2002 and 2007. He was consultant for BBC 2's Timewatch, "All the King's Jews" (1990) and has advised and recorded on the "Jewish Journey" Radio 4, presented by Andrew Sachs and even has a footnote in Schama's A History of England !!!. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the School of History at the University of St Andrews and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. He has held School Teacher Fellowships at Selwyn College and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He has just published (2010) "The King's Jews", a general history of the Jews in Medieval England which has been short listed for the Longman History Today Prize 2010. He is both Historian and History Teacher and is simply passionate about imparting and teaching History at any level. In his time at Coll he has been a Matheson's House Tutor for a decade but now works in Reid's. He is i/c of the RN Section CCF. He has tutored from the Third Form through to the Upper Sixth. He has also been committed to drama and has helped with productions of Cabaret, Bugsy Malone, Fiddler on the Roof, Animal Farm, Roses of Eyam and with the production of Sparkleshark and Much Ado about Something which went to the Fringe in 2008. In the guise of "Mr History" he has also appeared in Prep Schools to enthuse even the youngest of pupils.!!!. He has over twenty years experience of working and teaching in busy committed boarding schools both in a pastoral and academic sphere. He is mentor for new staff, Assistant Child Protection Officer, Master i/c Prizes and Chapel Assistant. robinmundill@glenalmondcollege.co.uk
Mr Lewis Rattray MA (Hons), MLitt, PGDE (joined in 2010)
Lewis Rattray studied at the University of Aberdeen gaining an MA with First Class Honours in History and an MLitt with Commendation in Irish and Scottish Studies. He taught History at the University of Aberdeen from 2006-2009 before completing his PGDE through the University of Edinburgh, teaching at North Berwick High, Portobello High and George Herriot's School. He is currently writing up his PhD thesis on "Scotland and Military Revolution 1620-1660" and has delivered papers at conferences with the University of Aberdeen, University College Dublin, Bath Spa University and the University of St Andrews. He has recently been commissioned into Coll's CCF Army section and helps out with Third Form activities, Climbing and Cross Country. He is a House Tutor in Matheson's. Out of school he likes hill walking, playing the guitar, the Beatles, French wine, Italian food and Spanish football. His mastermind topic would be the novels of Bernard Cornwell.
lewisrattray@glenalmondcollege.co.uk
Mr Alexander Norton BA Cert Ed Cert TEFL (joined in 2001)
Sandy is Head of Politics but teaches two sets of History. He is also in charge of the VIth Form Moncrieff Centre, the Careers Department and was former Director of Cricket. When not fielding (literally) all kinds of things his special historical interests are Inter war Poland, 19th Century Britain and Italy and of course BRITISH Gibraltar. His interest spans the world. He has a keen interest in all ball games except what he describes as being "the tall game" (ie Basketball). He has taken trips all over the world and remains an advisor on careers and is Master in charge of VIth Form. sandynorton@glenalmondcollege.co.uk
Publications
The King's Jews - Robin R Mundill
The latest book by Glenalmond's Head of History Robin Mundill was published in 2010. The King's Jews tells the story of money, massacre and exodus in Medieval England and, according to reviewers, has been written "with verve and enthusiasm, clarity and balance". More information can be found on the website of the publishers, Continuum: www.continuumbooks.com
Statue of Gladstone, our Founder
Warden Wordsworth
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