GCSE History

TEACHER IN CHARGE:  Mr D Bartlett EXAMINATION BOARD:  AQA WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.aqa.org.uk 

History Information Video

What will I study?

Component 1: Understanding the modern world

Section A: Period studies

●      America 1920-1973:  Opportunity and inequality

Section B: Wider world depth studies

●      Conflict and tension in Asia 1950-75

Component 2: Shaping the nation

Section A: Thematic studies

●      Britain: health and the people (Medicine)

Section B: British depth studies including the historical environment (local study)

●      Elizabethan England, c1568–1603

How many examinations will I take?

Each component is assessed through a 2 hour written exam, each worth 50% of the final mark

 What qualities do I need to be successful?

 Above all, you need to be inquisitive and to have an interest in people and what they have done in the past but it will help if you are also able to:

●  form your own opinions and express your own views;

●  listen to and appreciate the views of others;

●  organise your work and keep to deadlines;

●  apply yourself to all tasks, including learning your work, in a determined and conscientious way.

What sort of teaching styles are typically used?

The teaching of History is very structured – at the end of each unit the department provides summary sheets/revision guides to minimise the need to take notes in lessons.  

This means that lessons can be devoted to working on exam technique, group and class discussions, watching videos, using computers for research and interactive class exercises, critical thinking and problem-solving tasks based on a range of historical sources such as photos, cartoons and letters to develop your skill in detecting bias, evaluating information and reaching your own conclusions.

Is there anything else you think I should know about this subject?

• Students at Ponteland consistently do well in History.

• GCSE History is a subject where all students sit the same exam papers – there are no tiered papers, so all students can achieve their full potential.

• History not only satisfies a natural interest in the past, it also gives you a better understanding of the world you are living in – after all, how can you know where you are going until you know where you have been?

• History provides you with skills that enable you to interpret and evaluate information, communicate and apply your knowledge, form your own opinions and argue them convincingly – all skills that employers and universities are looking for and which prepare you for a multitude of jobs and professions including law, accountancy, journalism, management and teaching.