History Single GCSE
What are the Key Features?
We offer a course focused on the Modern World with exam board AQA. Students
study three units, each of which involves a different type of History:
1 Outline Study - International Relations: Conflict and Peace in the 20th Century
(focus on pre 1939 years)
2 Depth Studies – Twentieth Century (focus on Race Relations in the 1950s
and Germany in the 1930s)
3 Historical Enquiry - Coursework on British People in War (completed as
controlled assessment in two parts)
How is the course taught?
History is taught using a variety of methods; individual research, videos
and group discussions are used as well as more formal class teaching.
Students are expected to present ideas both orally and in writing. Students
are taught in option groups and all sit the same tier examination papers
for GCSE.
After sleep and school, the next largest share of your time is probably spent watching, listening to, reading, surfing or playing the products of the mass media. TV, film, radio, popular music, newspapers, magazines, comics, the Internet and interactive games are all potential sources of evidence for study in this course.
How is it assessed?
There are no tiered papers in History; the full range of grades is available
to all students. There are two written papers, worth 75% of the mark
and one coursework assignment (completed as two questions) worth 25%
of the mark. The coursework assignment tests the skills of Historical
Enquiry.
Why study this course?
History GCSE can help you with English, Law, Journalism, Archaeology, Psychology,
Art and other subjects. It is widely respected because it helps you to
think for yourself!
Students who achieve Grade B or above in GCSE History may be recommended
by their teacher to study the subject to A Level. In the past students
have taken History with a range of different A level subjects. History
develops a range of skills - selecting and using information, evaluating
evidence and presenting arguments both orally and in writing. These skills
make it relevant to many careers, most obviously careers in Journalism,
Law, numerous Management posts, Administration, the Civil Service or Heritage
and Museums.