Why should I bother studying history?

At this age, the most important part of history is not essay structure or coherence of argument. Rather, it is ensuring the student garners enthusiasm towards the subject and understands its importance. TO do this, I would show them that history could be fun - talk about the interesting parts of history they might not have explored in the traditional curriculum such as the Russian Revolution or the Black Death for example. 

Then I would take a broader approach, and explain how every single other subject they study: maths, English, science, has been touched in many ways by history itself!