History
Head of Department: Mrs J O’Hare
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Entry Requirements: GCSE Grace 5 or above in History
Course Description
Our lives are a product of the past. If you are interested in current events, and how these shape our world, then an understanding of the past can help to make sense of the present. Nothing is more important than the ability to look beyond the headlines, to question what you read or are told by others and be able to express your own opinions effectively. History at A-level will provide you with these opportunities, and more.
The aims of the course are to develop and build on the skills and historical understanding gained at GCSE and to stimulate interest and debate about important historical events of the Sixteenth and Twentieth Centuries. The student of History will develop the skills in literacy, research, analysis and evaluation required for many challenging careers in areas such as Law, Politics, Management and Administration.
History at AS and A2 levels provides many opportunities for group work, discussion and presentations, enabling students to develop their self-confidence, and the personal study involved provides an excellent preparation for the writing of dissertations, required by many degree courses.
The syllabus consists of either two or four units, depending upon your A level choices: students will able to study either, all the units over a two-year period for a full A level, or to study History for one year, and gain an AS qualification with two units at the end of Year 12.
AS Level
- Paper 1 – In search of the American Dream: the USA
- Paper 2 – South Africa 1948-94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’
A2 Level
- Paper 3 – Rebellion and disorder under the Tudors 1485-1603
- Coursework – In depth enquiry into a controversy: Responsibility for the outbreak of WW1
Opportunities
The course offers the opportunity to participate in study tours to destinations such as the USA and South Africa.
Progression
Further study: History is a highly regarded subject at university as it develops independence of thought and questioning. Many of our students go on to study at prestigious universities which have included Oxford, Nottingham, Durham and Bristol in recent years.
Careers: Students who study History develop many skills in addition to their knowledge and can also consider careers in Journalism, Media, Teaching, Business, Law and many others.