Senior School History Department

History is a popular subject offered across all year groups in the Senior School at Marlborough College Malaysia. As a department, we aim to foster a sense of enquiry and encourage a lifelong interest and enthusiasm for the study of History. Studying History develops an understanding of the past, which leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of humans and the world today. It also develops in our pupils a wide range of invaluable skills such as critical analysis, use of evidence, argument, evaluation, communication and literacy, which are vital to pupils’ success across the academic curriculum.

In Shell we focus on important global themes such as war and its impact on Europe and Asia, human rights, persecution, genocide and imperialism. This provides an excellent foundation for success in History beyond the Shell, and the majority of pupils opt to continue their study of History at IGCSE level.

At IGCSE we follow the Edexcel IGCSE specification, studying units on the First World War, dictatorships in Germany and Russia, and the development of modern China. Pupils explore significant historical events and people, explore the causes of historical developments and learn to assess the extent of historical change and continuity. Through the History course, pupils learn to use sources critically, communicate their knowledge effectively and reach their own judgements on a given topic.

The IB Diploma Programme History course is offered as one of the Group Three or ‘Individuals and Societies’ options. It is a World History course based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history, within which pupils study units on the Americas, the Cold War in Europe and Asia, authoritarian states in Italy (Mussolini) and China (Mao) and 20th century protest movements in the USA and South Africa. History at IB level is a dynamic, contested, evidence-based discipline that involves an exciting engagement with the past. It focuses on key historical concepts such as change, continuity, causation, consequence, perspective and significance. The department aims to encourage enjoyment of the study of History and to increase a pupil’s understanding of themselves and of contemporary society by encouraging reflection on the past.

The department is currently comprised of three beaks, each of whom bring a specialist area of knowledge and expertise to the teaching of History.

Prep School History Department

History features throughout the pupils’ Prep School experience. In the Pre-Prep, the children encounter stories from the past and are increasingly encouraged to ask questions about times gone by.  Lower Prep pupils largely follow the English National Curriculum, developing their subject skills of chronology, inquiry, interpretation, understanding and evaluation, and organisation and communication.  Ideas and research are presented by them through the spoken word, multi-media presentation and the traditional medium of ink and paper.   We look to enhance their learning experience through the use of iPads and Macbooks in both lessons and prep.

The Common Entrance syllabus informs much of the Years 7 and 8 course, and the emphasis is increasingly on analysis, especially of sources, and convincing historical argument as preparation for entry to the Senior School.

The study of History encourages the development of skills essential both to academic study and later life, however, we never lose sight of the essential enjoyment and excitement that the story of the past offers.

Pre-Prep History Department

In History the children enjoy learning about historical figures and people of significance from the past. They use a variety of sources and artefacts to help them to communicate similarities and differences to the present day. Questioning skills are developed and local trips and visits are often used to enrich learning.