RVHS Pathways to Success, 2024

Course Summary

The GCSE History course is designed to explain how the modern world was made. The course is made up from some of the most popular topics that we study at KS3 with some new and exciting topics added in. Students are able to investigate everything from medieval crime and punishment to the collapse of communism in 1991.

History is an academic subject that requires you to do homework regularly and to a good standard. If you do not have a good homework record then this may not be the subject for you. You will need to hit deadlines and be prepared to develop detailed writing skills.

History is a well thought of academic subject that requires commitment and discipline. At Roding Valley we consistently exceed the national average for GCSE results by as much as 20%. We do this through excellent teaching and a comprehensive package of support for students of all abilities.

Course Assessment

There are three History papers in total worth 100% of the total grade.

Paper 1: Crime and Punishment c.1000- Present - This paper focuses on the changing nature of crime, law enforcement and punishment over time and has a source based depth Study on crime in Whitechapel set in the 1800s. This is a great opportunity for students to build on thier knowledge of the Jack the Ripper murders from Year 8.
Paper 2: This paper is split into two parts which are both sat in the same exam session.
- Part 1: Superpower relations and the Cold War - This paper focuses on the consequences of the Cold War. In begins with the collapse of the grand alliance at the end of the Second World war and ends with the fall of the Berlin wall and the collapse of communism. This is also supported by a trip to Berlin in Year 10.
- Part 2: Anglo-Saxon England - This paper is a depth study requiring students to explain and describe the events of the Norman Conquest. It draws on students learning from Year 7 but goes in to far more gory detail about the battle for succession and the making of Norman England.

Paper 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany - This paper is source based enquiring focusing on both the reliability of sources and how historical events have been interpreted by historians. It begins with the chaos of the abdication of the Kaiser in the last days of the First World War and ends with the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Third Reich

The exam does require extended writing so please discuss this with your history teacher if you are concerned.

Career Pathway

Apart from being interesting for its own sake it shows that you can demonstrate the ability to:

To investigative study, evaluate evidence and retain detailed knowledge as well as write what you know to a good or excellent standard. These skills are useful in all walks of life.
History is a subject that is useful for almost any career and it is considered to be a good subject to study if you are interested in:
- Law
- Journalism
- Media
- Social Services
- Civil Service
- International Business
- Heritage and conservation
- Travel and tourism

Staff Contact

Mr Cocker - Head of Humanities, please click here to send an email.