[sarahsmith]

Hi, I'm hoping some of you kind souls can give me some advice...

I'm new to post HoD at a school where History teaching hasn't been great over the last few years, as a result we do not currently have a year 12 class. We also work with another school in the town and as a result lots of our students are offered courses at both sites.

Last night we had our open evening/subjects fayre, I had four visitors! My counterpart from the other school also had little interest but he has two classes of GCSE students keen to continue Modern World. I have two classes doing Medicine and American West, but at A level I offer a variety of elements themed around chalenges to authority from 1066 onwards. (I have changed board and course since coming to post). I have spent a long time trying to put together a cohesive and different course. I am realy disappointed at such a low level of interest.

So, what I'm asking is... what have other people done to raise the profile of history A level, I know changing a reputation of a department takes time but I'm worried that next year we wil be without any A level at all?
Any advice gratefuly recieved.

Sarah

[Dom_Giles]

I'm sure this is quite obvious advice but the best thing you can do is talk to the students you teach in Year 11 whom you feel would benefit from doing A Level. A quiet word to them that you think they are capable, would enjoy it and learn a lot from it might make all the difference. You could also talk up the subject in general in your lessons. Point out the benefits of doing A level History and how useful it will be in the future with regards to Uni courses.

[Giles Falconer]

Could you use your current Y13 students to 'sell' the subject to Year 13? Often enthusiastic students can be a good advertisement for your course...

[CD McKie]

Do some school assemblies - obviously with a history theme. Trips and exciting lessons would also help. There is no magic wand; just work hard and make things as exciting and fun for the kids as possible.

[Nick]

A lot of the above advice is sound.
I found myself in the same position a long time ago but now we have 3 GCSE groups each year and 2-3 AS groups.
Making the lessons more interactive helps. Organising trips has a big impact too. We do a GCSE trip abroad every year and an A level one.
Having staff in the department who are as keen and willing and hard working as you also helps but it might take time to alter that!
Raise the profile of History by giving assemblies. Have a History Day where one year group dress up for the day and outside speakers are invited in. Stress the importance of the subject as an old fashioned academic one, highly regarded by universities. Do some colourful displays, centred on the importance of History, using famous History graduates for example. Talk to SMT and pick their brains! If you are proactive they will be impressed and helpful. Get the History adviser in to help you. Visit other schools to see what they do.
But, above all, it's about you and the other staff and how you are perceived by the kids. It takes time but you have to build a rapport with them, show that you care and are are willing to go the extra mile.
You will turn it around but Rome wasn't built in a day. Good luck!

[Chouan]

Nick, on 05 November 2009 - 09:53 PM, said:

Talk to SMT and pick their brains! If you are proactive they will be impressed and helpful.

A lot of what you've said is very useful. But this? I've found mine anything BUT impressed and helpful when I've been proactive. For example, when the Department was able to really raise its profile and became very popular at A Level, I was told that unless take up got "significantly above" 30 students, there would still only be 1 Year 12 History class. And, no matter how many students I got, I would only be allowedf £50 extra on my budget. Not very encouraging!