History at Papplewick is defined as ‘the pursuit and the communication of the truth about the human past through the critical evaluation and interpretation of relevant evidence’. This notion that we seek to find out, that we strive to cogently communicate, and that we endeavour to determine the validity of the information that we encounter, underpins all that we do. It means that we do not simply ask ‘what do we know?’ but that we ask, ‘how do we know?’. In a world in which those of all ages are bombarded by information the historian’s core question, ‘is this true?’ plays a key role in using skills designed to interrogate the past to deal with information in the present.  

Thus, those who study at Papplewick are regarded not simply as people who study the past but as student historians whose knowledge and critical skills will serve them well in the classroom and in life beyond school. Above all, by emphasising the fact that history is about people, and through enthusiastic, well-informed, teaching we hope to bring an appreciation of the past, and of the value of the subject, to the boys at Papplewick.