ProspectusIntroduction
There are two modern history rooms well resourced with reference books, DVDs and interactive whiteboards. The Department’s highly experienced teachers make the subject interesting and enjoyable and many of our Sixth Form students go on to study History at university
The Department has organised numerous extra-curricular and enrichment activities including visits to Warwick Castle, the Mary Rose and the Imperial War Museum, as well as a biennial visit to the First World war battlefields in Belgium and France. At Sixth Form level, students are given the opportunity to attend conferences to hear the views of leading historians on their related A Level topics.
Key Stage 3
Year 7
Students start by getting to grips with the skills of History eg understanding the work of archaeologists through an artefacts handling session, and then go on to the Romans and the Middle Ages.
Year 8
The Tudors and Stuarts are covered along with the history of the Black peoples of the Americas in and in the Caribbean and Britain 1750-1900.
Year 9
Students study the history of the 20th century.
GCSE
GCSE History (AQA Board covers the first and Second World Wars, as well as International Relations 1919 – 1963.
Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level
For A Level (OCR Board), History in the first year involves one topic from British History, the Age of Peel 1829-46, and one from European, Italy 1830-70. In the second year students get involved with different interpretations of Lenin and the Bolsheviks 1903-23; they study relations between Britain and Ireland 1798 to1921; and they investigate as coursework a subject of their own choice.
Course Aims
The course offers students the opportunity to study History in breadth as well as in depth, to develop expertise in a variety of skills and to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the periods studied.Entry Requirements
- Enjoyment of history.
- Grade B in history at GCSE is desirable.
- Ability to present a reasoned argument.
- An interest in reading widely.
- Familiarity with different types of source material.
- Preparedness to argue and discuss issues.
- Interest in interpretation and analysis.
- Readiness to work independently.
Course Content
Year 12 ‘A/S’ level
Unit 1: Documentary study
Italian Unification 1848-70
Unit 2: English/British History
The Age of Peel 1829-46
Unit 3: European History
Italian Unification 1830-70
Year 13 A level
Unit 4: Historical Investigation
Lenin and the Establishment of Bolshevik Power 1903-24
Unit 5: Themes in History
Britain and Ireland 1789-1921
Unit 6: Independent Investigation
A historical issue of the student’s own choice.
Assessment
Homework, essays, tests and examinations are used as methods of assessment throughout the course.
Year 12 ‘A/S’
Unit 1: Written examination 1 hour 40% of the total ‘A/S’ marks
One question 20% of the total ‘A’ level marks
Unit 2: Written examination _ hour 30% of the total ‘A/S’ marks
One question 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks
Unit 3: Written examination _ hour 30% of the total ‘A/S’ level marks
One question 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks
Year 13 A level
Unit 4: Written examination 1_ hours 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks
Two questions
Unit 5: Written examination 1_ hours 20% of the total ‘A’ level marks
Two questions
Unit 6: Coursework (3000 words maximum) 15% of the total ‘A’ level marks
‘A’ Level Combinations
‘A’ level history combines well with arts orientated subjects like English, and French: as well as Humanities like Economics, Law and Politics but has also combined well with sciences, ICT and Business Studies.Career and Higher Education Opportunities
As well as leading directly to a history course at university, ‘A’ level history is also helpful for those thinking of a career in law, management, advertising, publishing, journalism, librarianship, TV/radio programme research and the Civil Service.
