GCSE History at SJBC follows the CCEA Specification. The course covers a vast range of content, looking at Nazi Germany, the Northern Ireland Troubles, the events of the Cold War, 9/11 and the War in Iraq. The course is taught over two years, with one exam per year, totaling to 100% of the students GCSE grade.
In summer '23 GCSE History had a 100% pass rate, both at Year 11 and Year 12.
In Year 11, students begin with Nazi Germany, starting in 1933 and following Hitler's rise to power, until the end of the World War Two. After this, students move on to look at the Troubles in Northern Ireland, beginning in 1969, and finishing with the Good Friday Agreement. Students sit one exam at the end of Year 11, which covers content from both units. The exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes, and equates to 60% of the students' GCSE grade.
In Year 12 students move on to study the events of the Cold War. Students start in the 1940s moving through the century looking at the ideological differences between Communism and Capitalism. Students look at key events in detail such as the atomic bomb, the Berlin Wall, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. Students move on to look at how the cold war comes to an end, before looking at the events surrounding 9/11, the War on Terror, and finishing the course by looking at the War in Iraq. Students sit one exam at the end of Year 12, which makes up the remaining 40% of their GCSE grade.
History is a highly enjoyable and intresting subject. It should appeal to those who enjoy writing about their ideas, developing logical arguments and researching accounts from a range of evidence. GCSE History is a single tiered exam, with a mixture of question styles, from short responses, sources, to essays. Studying History allows students to appreciate, engage with the past and study a variety of sources to appreciate that there is not just one verison of the past, but often competing interpretations.
Useful Links
CCEA Page on GCSE History : https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-history-2017
CCEA GCSE History past papers : https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-history-2017/past-papers-mark-schemes
BBC Bitesize content covering Year 11 Nazi Germany unit : https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zsfbng8
BBC Bitesize content covering Year 11 Northern Ireland unit : https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zwjmdxs
BBC Bitesize content covering Year 12 Cold War unit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z9kj4qt