History

Course Information

Pupils study a range of topics, covering different periods of History in this GCSE course.  

Unit 1: Crime and Punishment 1100 – Present and Whitechapel 1870 – 1900 

This option comprises a thematic study of Crime and punishment in Britain c1000‒present day and a study of the historic environment of Whitechapel c1870‒1900: crime, policing and the inner city. Pupils develop an understanding of the nature and process of change. This will involve understanding patterns of change, trends and turning points, and the influence of factors inhibiting or encouraging change within periods and across the theme. 

Unit 2: Period Study and British Depth Study - Cold War 1941 -1991 and Elizabethan England 1558 – 1588 

This option is a period study, examining the Cold War, and consists of the three Key topics: The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58; Three Cold War Crises, 1958–70; The end of the Cold War, 1970–91. The second half of the exam is the British Depth Study, examining the first 30 years of Elizabethan England 1558-1588. Pupils will investigate matters which include religious issues, especially the Catholic threat to Elizabeth’s security, relations with Philip II of Spain, several social and economic issues, and England’s changing relations with the wider world, including the first steps towards the creation of a seaborne empire. 

Unit 3: Modern Depth Study · Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918 – 1939 

This modern depth study offers students a fascinating analysis of how, between the First and Second World Wars, a democratic Germany became a one-party dictatorship. During this short time span students will examine various political, economic, social and cultural aspects of this change from a democratic to a one party state. 

We follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE History specification. This can be found here:

Edexcel GCSE History Specification 

History Staff

Why Study History?

The video below explores careers linked to this subject.