A-Level - Years 12 & 13

In the Sixth Form, we offer a broad period of History for our students.  There are no formal entry requirements to study History in the Sixth Form and we are happy with our comprehensive and multi-cultural intake, though a GCSE Grade 6 or above in History and/or English is desirable: 

A-Level History follows the AQA Specification:

• Component 1: The Tudors, 1485-1603.

• Component 2: Revolutions & Dictatorships: Russia, 1917-53.

• Component 3: Historical Investigation: the NEA

The Historical Investigation or NEA (a personal study) is usually introduced in the summer term of Year 12 with some preparatory work to be done over the summer break.  There will be a single title for all students*.  The proposed title is submitted each year to AQA for approval.   Students will be given directions and guidance as to what is expected of them and the finished piece should be between 3,500–4,500 words long.  It is marked out of 40 and thus constitutes 20% of the A-Level.  *The title for this piece is:

‘In the context of the years 1848 to 1945, how far was the anti-Semitism in the German states a result of ideology’?

This is an independently researched body of work to allow students to demonstrate skills of historical analysis, evaluation, and judgement, to appraise the views of different historians and to evaluate the utility and validity of primary sources.  The work is marked internally and submitted for moderation by AQA.