[Skip to Page Head]

Department Reviews

HISTORY AND POLITICS

There were reasons to be cheerful as we came back to College in early September. Examination results were good, both for GCSE and A Level and encouraging numbers of girls had chosen to do History and/or Politics.

Mr Stacey has continued his crusade to lead the department forward in the use of IT. He has enabled us to be at the forefront of the development of College’s new Virtual Learning Environment. Even those of us of a more Luddite disposition have been enthused by the new ideas and materials he has brought to our attention.

Mr Bower has provided a stimulating programme of History Society meetings, looking at topics such as Britain from the Air and what we as historians can learn from maps and the evolution of map making. Mr Bott delivered a very personal talk on ‘why on earth should anyone be interested in railways?’ where his scholarly qualities, his enormous enthusiasm and his mastery of modern technology were displayed. He showed us wonderful photographs, some taken by himself, interspersed with clips from films and music, and proved convincingly how much we can learn of Britain’s economic and social history from a study of railways. Once again, Mr Bower has made great use of College’s own Archive at History Society meetings, many of the maps coming from our own collection and, in addition, looked in one meeting at the many autographed letters and documents that College owns. The pet enthusiasms of the audience were displayed as the Library echoed to cries of ‘Come and look, this is Byron’ or ‘Mrs Wright, look, its Gladstone’. The History Society is now engaged in cataloguing College’s fine collection of picture postcards.

The Politics Society has ranged across the political spectrum. The year began with a talk on Thatcherism and outside speakers have represented all of the major parties. Cheryl Gillan (a Guild member) spoke on her life as an MP as well as her role as a Shadow Cabinet member. The local MP, Martin Horwood, spoke about Lib-Dem policies and his role in representing Cheltenham. Dr Simon Peaple, a life-long Labour supporter and activist, gave a fascinating insight into the spin and manipulation involved in getting Labour elected in 1997 while the local prospective parliamentary Conservative candidate, Mark Coote, talked about his activities as he strives to unseat Martin Horwood.

The department is well prepared for the start of the IB in September, and is delighted to have two classes of girls, most of whom will be doing Higher Level. Useful contacts have been established with IB teachers at Haileybury and the British School in Brussels so that ideas, expertise and materials can be swapped. To promote ‘internationalism’, Mrs Waller has developed links with the German School in London and earlier this term College hosted a conference for their pupils and ours at which major historical issues were discussed, such as ‘why do nations feel that the study of history is important?’ and ‘how does a nation deal with difficult episodes in its past?’. In addition to the IB, the department is taking the opportunity of the launch of the new A Levels to change exam boards and adopt new courses. These have proved a popular choice with girls and so there is much to look forward to in the next academic year.

News

Vicky Tuck – Telegraph Articles

Vicky Tuck – Telegraph Articles

Please see the links below for the latest telegraph articles written by Vicky Tuck. 28 November 2008, 05 December 2008, 12 December 2008, 19 December ...

Read More

England’s National Under 16 Hockey Squad for 2009

England’s National Under 16 Hockey Squad for 2009

Issy Davies, currently in UC5 at The Cheltenham Ladies' College, has been selected for England's National Under 16 Hockey Squad for 2009. The...

Read More

Gloucestershire Schools’ Debating Competition

Gloucestershire Schools’ Debating Competition

On November 27th Polly Mitchell and Tabitha Ward took part in the Gloucestershire Schools Debating Competition in the Parliament Room in Gloucester Ca...

Read More

Drama Productions

Drama Productions

The Sixth Form production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s play 'The School for Scandal' will be held on 5th and 6th December at 7.30pm in the P...

Read More