history
welcome Video
Course Overview
Year 10
Thematic Study, Britain: Health and the People c1000-Present
This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how medicine and public health developed in Britain over a long period of time. It considers the causes, scale, nature and consequences of short and long term developments and their impact on British society.
Period Study, Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship
This period study focuses on the development of Germany during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of democracy and dictatorship – the development and collapse of democracy and the rise and fall of Nazism. Students will study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of these two developments and the role ideas played in influencing change.
Year 11
Wider World Depth Study, Conflict and Tension: the Inter-War Years, 1918–1939
This wider world depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of different individuals and states including the Great Powers. It looks at concepts such as national self-determination, ideas of internationalism and the challenges of revising the peace settlement. It focuses on the causes of the Second World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the issues which caused it.
British Depth Study, Elizabethan England, c1568–1603
This option allows students to study in depth a specified period, the last 35 years of Elizabeth I's reign. The study will focus on major events of Elizabeth I’s reign considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoints, and arising contemporary and historical controversies.
Why study history?
Studying GCSE History will help you to answer important questions such as:
• Why do wars happen?
• Why do we have a welfare system?
• How have we come to live in a multicultural society?
Learning about past events and the people who’ve influenced history will allow you to understand how the world got to the point it’s at now and how it will continue to develop in the future.
Resources: Pupils will have access to resources through Google Classroom and through use of textbooks in lessons.
Trips: The history and politics department run a biennial trip to Berlin for years 10-13.
Suggested revision guide:
The "Oxford AQA GCSE history" series is recommended. There is one guide for each of the four topics.
assessment method
At GCSE there are two exams – Paper 1 and 2 are each worth 50% and 2 hours each. These exams consist of 4, 8, 12 and 16 mark questions which require answers ranging from a five minute paragraph to a 20-24 minute essay response.
Paper 1: Understanding the modern world - 50% (Period Study + Wider World Depth Study)
Paper 2: Shaping the nation - 50% (Thematic Study + British Depth Study)
Future Routes
You will learn a range of handy skills that will help you with A-levels and future work including, excellent communication and writing skills, how to construct an argument, investigation and problem- solving, analytical and interpretation skills. Studying history can lead on to some exciting career options, including:
•Journalism • Law • Business • Politics • Archaeology • Marketing • Teaching.
faqS
Q. What topics will I learn about at GCSE?
A. You will cover four topics across the two year course and they are quite varied in content and breadth. You will study these topics:
Health and the People c1000-Present Day.
Elizabethan England 1568-1603
Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship - 1890-1945
Conflict and Tension: The Interwar Years - 1919-1939
Q. How do the exams work?
A. You will take two exams at the end of year 11. Each will be two hours long. The exams contain a mixture of questions including 4, 8, 12 and 16 mark questions, so some will be quick 5 minute responses while others will be 20-25 minute mini essay responses.
Q. What resources do I need?
A. The most important resource is Google Classroom. Reading, articles and textbook sections will be on there for lessons and homework. We strongly recommend getting a revision guide for each of the topics. There is an individual one for each topic by Oxford Publishing in their AQA GCSE history series which we recommend.
Q. Is there a trip?
A. Under normal circumstances GCSE students are invited to optionally attend a trip along with 6th form students which takes place every two years to Berlin which ties in very well with our course content. This is not compulsory.
Q. I like history but I’m worried it is too hard for me, is it?
A. History does involve learning a lot of new information and the exam technique can be tricky at first. However, as long as you enjoy history and learning about the past you will be absolutely fine. It is worth considering that whilst the exams can be tough, in previous years something in the region of 45% on the test would have awarded a grade 5 whilst 70% would have achieved a grade 9. Your teachers are experts in the subject and have an excellent understanding of the exams and the techniques required to get the best grades. All you need to do is try your best and use their advice and guidance and keep up with your classwork and homework.
Q. Can I do history and geography or can I just choose one?
A. You can absolutely do both, in fact they go very well together as the skills you learn in both complement each other very well. Or alternatively you can just choose one, it is up to you.
Q. Is there any coursework?
A. No, it is all exam based.
Q. Is literacy important?
A. Yes, very. Students are expected to read a wide range of resources to build their knowledge and understanding and will need to express their ideas in extended writing.