The study of history at A Level allows students to broaden their understanding of the world through investigation, interrogation and debate. Students will tackle the most pressing moral, strategic and contentious debates within our areas of historical study, developing their skills of communication, analysis, evaluation and argument.
The different areas of history that we focus on complement one another in terms of knowledge and skill. Source skills gained when studying modern history are later applied to early modern learning, whilst the skill of interrogating interpretations is used when studying both politics in the USA and moral decisions made in Europe.
Entry Requirements: Grade 6 and above in GCSE History and English Literature
Course Overview
The A Level History course is split over 4 modules:
Paper 1: In search of the American Dream: the USA, c1917–96
Exploring the development of the USA through two world wars, the civil rights movement and vast changes in society. You will use your interpretations skills here when you study the 1980s
Paper 2: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’
Investigate how South Africa went from a racially segregated oppressive society to a rainbow nation led by Nelson Mandela. Studying sources from the 1940s-90s
Paper 3: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914
Study the fascinating growth of the British Empire in America, Australia, India, Canada and Egypt. We will study a range of sources to help us understand how the British nearly lost their empire several times and used the vehicles of trade and the navy to expand
Coursework
Interpretations based essay on the Holocaust
Use your skills of research and analysis to write your independent essay on the turning points that led to the Final Solution
Homework /Independent Study Policy
At least 1 essay per week, regular flipped learning and personal study, revision for regular knowledge tests
Enrichment
Opportunities to develop debating skills along with access to talks from historical associations and participation in events for Holocaust Memorial Day.