History

A level History will be taught through various methods, each tailored to maximising student progress. Note taking will be a large part of the course, as will discussion work and essay writing. Alongside this there will be videos, group presentations and source analysis.

Unit one: British Study & Enquiry – England 1445 – 1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII

This exciting unit explores the tumultuous years of the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudor dynasty. Beginning in the reign of Henry VI, scholars will analyse the weaknesses of Henry VI, including his inability to maintain assertive control over his nobles and the multiple factions that emerged as a result. The course will study the key battles and turning points that encompassed the Wars of the Roses in identifying the reasons for the changes in power throughout the time period. Finally, the course evaluates the extent to which Henry VII was a successful king as he established the famous Tudor dynasty.

Option 2 Non-British Study – The Crusades and Crusader States 1095 – 1192.

This unit begins by exploring the political, religious and social weaknesses of Western Europe during the Medieval Period in establishing the motivations for the Crusades. It covers the course and consequences of the First, Second and Third Crusades. In exploring this unit, pupils will develop a complex and detailed understanding of how the successes of the Crusading states changed over time. An exciting unit that supports pupils in establishing what successful medieval leadership encompassed, it provides a solid basis for understanding the core foundational knowledge for Unit One and a greater understanding of modern day geo-political History.

Option 3 Civil rights and race relations in the USA, 1865–1992

This option comprises two parts: the Aspects in breadth focus on long-term changes and contextualise the Aspects in depth, which focus in detail on key episodes. Together, the breadth and depth topics explore developments that have shaped contemporary America and remain a fundamental issue in US society: the changing pattern of race relations between black and white Americans, both in terms of civil rights and also broader social and cultural changes over a period that began with millions of black Americans in slavery and ended with Barack Obama as President.

• Paper 1- The Crusades- Written examination, lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Paper 2- Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom- Written examination, lasting 2 hours 15 minutes.
• Paper 3- Civil rights and race relations in the USA- Written examination, lasting 1 hours 30 minutes.
• Coursework (20% over overall qualification)

Coursework

The purpose of this coursework is to enable students to develop skills in the analysis and evaluation of interpretations of history in a chosen question, problem or issue as part of an independently researched assignment. The focus is on understanding the nature and purpose of the work of the historian.

Students must achieve a grade 6 at GCSE History and English.

History is clearly an essential subject for those who wish to pursue it at university but it also has a much broader relevance. It is highly appropriate to careers in law, journalism, politics and management, in fact any area in which the ability to evaluate information and present reasoned judgements is useful. Many of Britain’s top company bosses have History degrees as well as Prime Ministers!