En esta investigación se examinan los usos y finalidades de la historia en un instituto en relación a la formación ciudadana. El saber histórico tiene gran potencial crítico y permite adquirir criterios para actuar democráticamente. Se emplearán entrevistas semiestructuradas a dos docentes y cuestionarios y narrativas a su alumnado de 1.º y 4.º ESO. La investigación constata un posicionamiento docente híbrido, encontrando rasgos de modelos tradicionales en la enseñanza (el escaso tratamiento de temas controversiales), y críticos, como la creencia en el potencial transformador de la materia. En el alumnado se observarán posiciones objetivistas acerca del pasado, que conviven con ejemplos de mayor capacidad de agencia ante cuestiones actuales. This research examines the uses and purposes of history in a high school in relation to citizen training. Historical knowledge has great criticism potential and allows acquiring criteria to act democratically. Semi-structured interviews with two teachers and questionnaires and narratives will be used for students in 1st and 4th ESO. The research shows a hybrid teaching position, finding traits of traditional models in teaching (the scarce treatment of controversial topics), and critics, such as the belief in the transformative potential of the subject. In the students, objectivist positions about the past will be observed, which coexist with examples of greater agency capacity in the face of current issues. The deepening of didactic strategies that address political education from History will result in the acquisition of skills and attitudes to live in democracy.