THE TEAM

Mr L Ebbs	Teacher of History
Miss J Fagg	Teacher of History
Miss Z Noonan	Deputy Headteacher
Mrs N Rana-Brown	Teacher of History and Assistant Head

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT

In History, we teach students to understand the world we live in today through events in the past. Students will use a variety of learning techniques in lessons that help to develop their communication as well as their written skills; they will learn about the causes and consequences of events as well as significance and develop historical skills to handle and to question sources. Students are taught to develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and of its intrinsic value and significance.  We strive to ensure our lessons are interesting and thought-provoking through regular discussion and the use of different medias.

WHY STUDY HISTORY?

‘History is the foundation stone of all civilised learning” History teaches us to ask two very important  questions: why and how? Our A Level History specification provides a fantastic curriculum to ignite and engage the passions and interests of our students. This is key to sharpening your critical thinking abilities, which combine the following skills: research, analysis, evaluation, essay writing, communication, problem-solving, articulating arguments, debating, spotting and analysing trends over time.

FUTURE ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHWAYS

With analytical, writing, debating and detective skills, you will be primed for a huge range of careers in history and beyond. Areas you could go into include: law, politics, the public sector, business, marketing, journalism, economics, teaching, academia, insurance, banking, social research, archaeology and curation (museums, galleries, archives and libraries).

COURSE CONTENT

Students will be studying the OCR History syllabus.

Year 12

Unit 1: Britain 1930-97 (enquiry topic Churchill)

• Churchill’s view of events 1929–1940
• Churchill as wartime Prime Minister
• Churchill and international diplomacy 1939–1951
• In the period students study:
• Conservative domination 1951–1964
• Labour and Conservative government 1964–1979
• Thatcher and the end of consensus 1979–1997
• Britain’s foreign policy and position in the world 1951–1997

Unit 2: The American Revolution 1740–1796

• The development of British hegemony in America
• Causes of the American Revolution
• The American Revolution 1774–1783
• The early Republic 1783–1796

Year 13

Unit 3: Russia and its rulers (1885 – 1964)

• Nature of government
• The impact of dictatorial regimes on the economy and society
• Impact of war and revolution on the development of the Russian Empire and the USSR
• USSR’s treatment of satellite states and nationalities

Unit 4: Topic-based essay

• Students are required to complete a 3000 to 4000 word essay

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1: 1 hour and 30 minutes, 50 marks, 25% of A Level

Unit 2: 1 hour, 30 marks, 15% of A Level

Unit 3: 2 hours and 30 minutes, 80 marks, 40% of A Level

Unit 4: Non-examination Assessment, 40 marks, 20% of

A Level

EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

We take students to London for the day to visit the Imperial War Museum and Churchill War Rooms. We also collaborate with the Lessons From Auschwitz Project to send a small group to visit Auschwitz every year.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Grade 6 in GCSE History and grade 6 in GCSE English Literature or English Language is required.