Department | History

FOR THE INCREASE OF LEARNING AND GOOD MANNERS

MEMBERS OF STAFF

Mr. S. Maclaine

Head of Department

Mr. O. Millar

Mr. P. Graham

Subject Information

The study of history is about more than memorising dates and learning about the actions of famous figures from the past. It is a chronicle of human behaviour: a real-life drama full of villains and heroes. It examines the circumstances that led to the transformation of people and places.

Studying history gives us opportunities to better understand our past and avoid repeating the same mistakes. History holds the answers to how and why our lives are shaped as they are today.

Studying History helps students to develop skills that are useful in the workplace and for future study. These include researching and organising information, analysing and evaluating evidence, and reaching a conclusion they can substantiate. They also learn to think critically and ask questions, identify patterns and trends, and formulate and write a coherent argument. These important skills also help students in other subjects. They discuss their ideas with others, work on group tasks, present their ideas and work independently, developing life skills required in the workplace.

What will I learn about in this subject?

The CCEA GCSE History specification provides opportunities to study a range of topics, from Hitler’s dictatorship, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Northern Ireland’s civil unrest, to the USA’s response to 9/11.

This specification is unitised, so we aim to take part of the assessment at the end of the first year of study.

The specification has two units:

Unit 1: Section A: Modern World Studies in Depth and Section B: Local Study – within this we study ‘Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 and ‘Changing Relations: Northern Ireland and its Neighbours, 1965–98’. (Worth 60% of final qualification)

Unit 2: Outline Study International Relations, 1945–2003. This unit covers a range of events from the time period known as the Cold War and takes us up to and including the recent War on Terror which developed throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. (Worth 40% of final qualification)

The A Level specification contains four units, two at AS (40%) and two at A2 (60%)

Unit AS 1: Historical Investigations and Interpretations
- We study AS 1: Option 5 – Germany 1919-45
Unit AS 2: Historical Conflict and Change
- We study AS 2: Option 5 – Russia 1914-41
Unit A2 1: Change Over Time
- We study A2 1: Option 2 – Ireland Under the Union 1800-1900
Unit A2 2: Historical Investigations and Interpretations
- We study A2 2: Option 4 – The Partition of Ireland 1900-25

Website:

There are numerous careers that are available once a person has a degree in History. They are too numerous to list here; therefore, follow the hyperlink to a useful page highlighting the options and explanations on each.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/history

The most prominent careers would be working as an Academic researcher, Archivist, Heritage manager, Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer, Museum education officer, Museum/gallery curator, Museum/gallery exhibitions officer and Secondary school teacher. That said, the qualification is a useful passport to a wide range of jobs and professions.

Famous people who studied this subject...

Louis Theroux (Filmmaker, author, broadcaster and journalist)
Prince Charles (Member of the Royal family and heir to the throne)
Sacha Baron Cohen (Actor and director)
Gordon Brown (former Prime Minister)
Anita Roddick (Founder of The Body Shop)

Department Blog Posts

2208, 2025

Royal School Armagh Pupils Celebrate Outstanding GCSE Results

By Mr. Forrest|2025-08-22T14:16:44+00:00August 22nd, 2025|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Royal School Armagh Pupils Celebrate Outstanding GCSE Results The wait finally ended for our Year 12 pupils as they collected their GCSE results from staff in the Assembly [...]

1508, 2025

Top Grades for Royal School in 2025 A Levels

By Mr. Forrest|2025-08-15T11:52:47+00:00August 15th, 2025|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Top Grades for Royal School in 2025 A Levels Results morning in school is quieter than it used to be. There is no longer a need to rush [...]

204, 2025

A snapshot of Royal School History: Schools’ Cup winners 1880
Gallery
A snapshot of Royal School History: Schools’ Cup winners 1880
History, News, Physical Education, School History

A snapshot of Royal School History: Schools’ Cup winners 1880

By Mr. Forrest|2025-04-02T10:08:49+00:00April 2nd, 2025|Categories: History, News, Physical Education, School History|0 Comments

A snapshot of Royal School History: Schools’ Cup winners 1880 Wallace High School’s recent victory in the cup made me search for some of the Royal’s early successes.The accompanying photograph, [...]

2009, 2024

Speech Night 2024

By Mr. Forrest|2024-09-20T14:37:24+00:00September 20th, 2024|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Academic Success and Character Celebrated at Royal School Speech Night St Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh was the venue on Thursday 19th September for our annual Speech Night. Following the [...]

1109, 2024

Unveiling the New Sixth Form Common Room: A Modern Space for Pupils to Thrive

By Mr. Forrest|2024-09-11T10:35:53+00:00September 11th, 2024|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Unveiling the New Sixth Form Common Room There was great expectation at school this morning when the new Sixth Form Common Room was opened for use. Over the summer major [...]

2208, 2024

Fantastic GCSE Results for RSA: Pupils Surpass Pre-Pandemic Standards

By Mr. Forrest|2024-08-22T10:04:38+00:00August 22nd, 2024|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA The wait finally ended for Year 12 pupils of The Royal School, Armagh as they collected their GCSE results from staff in the [...]

1508, 2024

Top Grades and Top Universities: Royal School A Level Triumph

By Mr. Forrest|2024-08-16T09:45:48+00:00August 15th, 2024|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

2024 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Relief, celebration, and a few tears of joy were mingled at the Royal School on Thursday morning as another fine [...]

2709, 2023

Achievement recognised by Royal School Armagh

By Mr. Forrest|2023-09-27T13:47:04+00:00September 27th, 2023|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Achievement recognised by Royal School Armagh St Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh was the venue on Thursday 21st September for our annual Speech Night. Following the academic procession, the ceremony was [...]

2408, 2023

Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA

By Mr. Forrest|2023-08-24T13:20:08+00:00August 24th, 2023|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Fantastic GCSE achievement at RSA The wait finally ended for Year 12 pupils as they collected their GCSE results from staff in the Assembly Hall from 08:30 on [...]

1708, 2023

2023 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School

By Mr. Forrest|2023-08-17T14:23:30+00:00August 17th, 2023|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized|0 Comments

2023 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Relief, celebration, and a few tears of joy were mingled at school this morning as another fine set of A [...]

1110, 2022

Achievement recognised by Royal School

By Mr. Forrest|2022-10-11T14:17:10+00:00October 11th, 2022|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism|0 Comments

Achievement recognised by Royal School St Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh was the venue on Thursday 22nd September for the return of the prize-giving ceremony of The Royal School, [...]

2508, 2022

2022 GCSE Exam Success at the Royal School

By Mr. Forrest|2022-08-25T14:32:37+00:00August 25th, 2022|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism|0 Comments

More fantastic results at The Royal School Congratulations to all our pupils who have received their GCSE results. This year’s attainment is truly outstanding and we are very proud [...]

1908, 2022

2022 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School

By Mr. Forrest|2022-08-19T14:08:23+00:00August 19th, 2022|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism|0 Comments

2022 A Level Exam Success at the Royal School Congratulations to all our pupils who received results yesterday. We are so proud of you and delighted at your success. [...]

703, 2022

Visit from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland

By Mr. Forrest|2022-03-07T17:12:40+00:00March 7th, 2022|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Boarding, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism|0 Comments

Visit from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland We were very pleased to host a visit on Friday by Rt. Hon. Conor Burns MP, Minister [...]

2408, 2021

Excellent Results at RSA

By Mr. Forrest|2021-08-24T11:26:08+00:00August 24th, 2021|Categories: Agriculture, Announcements, Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Engineering, English, Geography, Government & Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Home Economics, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Moving Image Art, Music, News, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Science, Sociology, Spanish, Technology & Design, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism|0 Comments

Excellent Results at RSA The wait finally ended for pupils of The Royal School, Armagh as they collected their A Level and their GCSE results on Tuesday 10 and [...]

Department | History

FOR THE INCREASE OF LEARNING AND GOOD MANNERS

MEMBERS OF STAFF

Subject Information

The study of history is about more than memorising dates and learning about the actions of famous figures from the past. It is a chronicle of human behaviour: a real-life drama full of villains and heroes. It examines the circumstances that led to the transformation of people and places.

Studying history gives us opportunities to better understand our past and avoid repeating the same mistakes. History holds the answers to how and why our lives are shaped as they are today.

The CCEA GCSE History specification provides opportunities to study a range of topics, from Hitler’s dictatorship, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Northern Ireland’s civil unrest, to the USA’s response to 9/11.

This specification is unitised, so we aim to take part of the assessment at the end of the first year of study.

The specification has two units:

Unit 1: Section A: Modern World Studies in Depth and Section B: Local Study – within this we study ‘Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 and ‘Changing Relations: Northern Ireland and its Neighbours, 1965–98’. (Worth 60% of final qualification)

Unit 2: Outline Study International Relations, 1945–2003. This unit covers a range of events from the time period known as the Cold War and takes us up to and including the recent War on Terror which developed throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. (Worth 40% of final qualification)

The A Level specification contains four units, two at AS (40%) and two at A2 (60%)

Unit AS 1: Historical Investigations and Interpretations

We study AS 1: Option 5 – Germany 1919-45

Unit AS 2: Historical Conflict and Change

We study AS 2: Option 5 – Russia 1914-41

Unit A2 1: Change Over Time

We study A2 1: Option 2 – Ireland Under the Union 1800-1900

Unit A2 2: Historical Investigations and Interpretations

We study A2 2: Option 4 – The Partition of Ireland 1900-25

Website:

There are numerous careers that are available once a person has a degree in History. They are too numerous to list here; therefore, follow the hyperlink to a useful page highlighting the options and explanations on each.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/history

Louis Theroux (Filmmaker, author, broadcaster and journalist)

Prince Charles (Member of the Royal family and heir to the throne)

Sacha Baron Cohen (Actor and director)

Gordon Brown (former Prime Minister)

Anita Roddick (Founder of The Body Shop)

Department Blog Posts