The History Department is celebrating once again after being awarded the Historical Association’s prestigious History Quality Mark (HQM) Gold Award – for a second consecutive time!
This nationally recognised award highlights excellence in the teaching and learning of History and places St Gregory’s among a very small group of secondary schools across the country to hold Gold status, and the only school in the South-West.
The impact of this excellence is evident in the experiences of students themselves. Julia, an A Level History student, describes how the department's enrichment opportunities have opened doors beyond the classroom:
Studying history at St Gregory's has provided me with so many opportunities, both in and outside of school. This includes a project with the Holocaust Education Trust where I was privileged to be able to visit Auschwitz Memorial and Museum in my role as History ambassador. It was one of the most humbling and enlightening experiences I have had.
Fellow A Level student Ava echoes this sentiment:
I am consistently challenged to develop my understanding of the past and its contemporary relevance, with the help of friendly and supportive teachers and peers. I have loved History over the past 6 years at school and it has ignited a passion for life.
The 2025 report praised the department’s “consistently strong” teaching and highlighted features such as “fantastic subject knowledge”, “excellent questioning” and “carefully structured lessons with clear routines and feedback.”
The Historical Association noted that the History curriculum at St Gregory’s remains of "gold standard" – with engaging and creative teaching, outstanding leadership, and a clear commitment to diversity, inclusion and high academic standards. The curriculum has also been commended for its strong moral and ethical dimension, underpinned by the school’s Catholic values and with enrichment experiences that span international visits, Holocaust education and links to local heritage.
History leads the school in diversity, assessment and enrichment – with teaching that is both inclusive and intellectually ambitious. - Historical Association Quality Mark Report 2025
In making the award, the Historical Association praised the department’s inclusive and high-quality teaching at all key stages, describing the learning environments as “stimulating and inspiring” and commending the department’s innovative use of enquiry, debate and extended writing to foster a genuine love of learning. Feedback from students played a key role in the report, with hundreds responding to annual surveys and describing History as enjoyable, challenging and well supported.
Mrs Sarbatta, Head of History, said:
We are incredibly proud to have received the Gold Award again – and this second consecutive accreditation is a real testament to the ongoing dedication and passion of every member of the History team. Our mission has always been to make History relevant, challenging and inclusive, and I am delighted that the assessors recognised the breadth of our curriculum and the strong outcomes for all our students. We are so grateful to the Historical Association for their detailed and rigorous assessment – and to our students, who inspire us every day.
The award also reflects the wider contribution of the History Department to school life – with recent initiatives including assemblies on the history of neurodiversity, disability dignity and remembrance, as well as a growing History Club and student ambassador scheme. The department has also led collaborative projects with universities, local schools and international organisations, including the Korean War Legacy Foundation and Holocaust Education Trust.
Mrs George, congratulated the department on their continued success:
"I am incredibly proud of Mrs Sarbatta and the History department for being re-accredited with the Gold History Quality Mark. This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of our commitment at St Gregory’s to educate the whole person. We are the only secondary school in the South-West to have won Gold Award and this is down to the inspirational leadership, high quality and passionate teaching of the subject."
Our History Department exemplifies the kind of learning that not only enables students to thrive academically, but also shapes them into thoughtful, engaged and compassionate young people. Congratulations to Mrs Sarbatta and her team on this outstanding recognition – we are incredibly proud.
The Gold Award will remain in place until 2028, with the Historical Association concluding that there were “no recommendations” needed for further improvement – a rare and exceptional outcome.