Subject

 A level History

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs 9-4, including English and Maths and a grade 5 or above in History.

Students not taking GCSE History would be welcome to apply but should discuss this with the Head of History, who will consider their application and advise on alternative entry requirements.

Exam Board

OCR

Content relating to the subject qualification

This is a two-year programme of study. The two units that students study in Year 12 are Italian History from 1896 to 1945, with a particular focus on the role of Mussolini, and a breadth study of the Wars of the Roses 1445-1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII. In Year 13 student will complete an independent study based on a topic of their choosing, followed by a thematic study of Civil Rights in America in the 20^th century.

The specialist teachers in the department do make occasional changes to the selection of units of study, according to their own on-going historical research interests, and also the feedback provided by students. 

Assessment of the qualification

15% Italy 1896–1943- This is a written examination that contains two traditional essay questions.

25% Britain, Wars of the Roses – This is a written examination with the main focus of using historical sources.

20% Independent Essay – One coursework question based on a topic chosen by students

40% Civil Rights in the USA – This is a written examination that contains two traditional essay questions

Career Pathways

History is a highly regarded academic subject in the wider world of higher education and employment.  Successful history students will possess valuable background knowledge to current affairs.  Just as importantly, they will have developed the skills which are so highly prized in employment e.g. in research, analysis of sources and data, and then constructing a well-evidenced argument.

Some students each year will proceed to go and take History degrees at University.  This is always pleasing, but it is equally satisfying that most students will use history as a stepping stone to many other degree courses and employment opportunities, especially in related fields such as Law, Journalism, Politics, Economics and Business Studies, International Relations, History of Art, Languages, Social Studies, Police and Armed Forces.  Some students have also successfully combined it with Mathematics or Science subjects to go on to careers in Medicine, Veterinary Science or Engineering.  It is really a passport to success in any future area of work or study.

Extra-Curricular

The Department organises regular fieldtrips to consolidate student knowledge. Every two years there is a residential trip to Berlin or Rome. Every other year there are trips to the Battlefields in France and Belgium.