The course aims to help students understand the different ways in which we study the past and to study it in a way that is both relevant and useful.  Our students will develop their understanding of fellow human beings, learn something of how the world came to be as it is and about change, which is so much a part of today’s world.  They will also develop many skills which will be extremely useful when they leave school, e.g. to argue a case based on evidence, to interpret a range and variety of sources and to use balanced judgments.

We study:

• America, 1840-1895 – the development of the American West, the causes and events of the American Civil War
• Conflict and tension, 1894-1918 – the causes and events of WW1
• Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day – how and why beliefs about disease, the human body and public health have changed in Britain over time
• Elizabethan England, c.1568-1603 – the nature and rule of Elizabeth I’s England featuring an investigation into the Elizabethan historical environment.

Assessment: 

Paper 1: Understanding The Modern World 50%

• America, 1840-1895: Expansion and consolidation
• Conflict and tension, 1894-1918

Paper 2: Shaping The Nation 50%

• Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day
• Elizabethan England, c.1568-1603

There is no tiered entry in this examination.  All our students sit the same final examinations with their final grade reflecting their own level of achievement.

Further Education and Career Opportunities:  

Some further education/career opportunities are specifically linked to History e.g. Archaeologist, Archivist, Historian, Museum Work, Building Restoration.  However, since it deals with people and teaches transferable skills, encouraging the ability to argue cases based on evidence, History leads on to many other further education/career opportunities e.g. law, personnel management, broadcasting, journalism, diplomatic service, town planning, Conservation Officer, police, Customs and Excise, social work, public relations work, local government service, civil service, teaching and many other careers.

Examining Board:

AQA

Contact:

Mr Ireland