A Level - History

Course Summary

Subject: History

Course Title: A Level - History

Course Types: Sixth Form

Course Level: A-Level

Age Group: 16-18

Course Description

Key stage 5 qualification provides progression from GCSE, enabling students to develop a broader and deeper understanding of history as a discipline and of the specified content. It also encourages the development of higher order skills when working with evidence. The following components are covered and on completion of the course in year 13, students will take two exams and complete a piece of coursework.

Componont One - The Age of the Crusades: 1071- 1204 (Breadth Study) whereby pupils have the opportunity to build on their knowledge of the medieval period from studying Kings Richard and John at GCSE. Exam paper 1 (2 hours 30 minutes) worth 40%

Component Two - The Making of Modern Britain: 1951-2007 (Depth Study) builds on pupils’ political understanding, gained through the study of the Weimar Republic in the Germany: 1918-39 unit at GCSE. Exam paper 2 (2 hours 30 minutes) also worth 40%

Component Three - The Historical investigation develops pupils’ understanding of the treatment of society’s minority groups which will deepen their understanding of their Historical studies at both Key Stage 3 and 4 (Slavery and the Holocaust). Pupils will look at The Changing Status of Afro-Americans in the USA: 1862-1969 (The Historical Investigation) and this is assessed via a piece of coursework (3,000-3,500 words) that utilises a range of sources all evaluated and referenced effectively, this represents the remaining 20% .

In Year 12

Students study the first half of component one – The Age of the Crusades – covering the years 1071-1149. They also study the first half of Making of Modern Britain – covering the years 1951-79.

Having completed these two components our year 12 students are then entered for their AS examinations, with Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes) worth 50% of the AS, covering component one - The Age of the Crusades: 1071-1149 (Breadth study). Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes) is worth 50% of the AS, and covers component two - The Making of Modern Britain: 1951-79 (Depth study). The A level course is linear therefore these AS grades are irrelevant for students going on to complete the history A level in year 13. However, should a student opt to study something different at the end of year 12 they will have a qualification to show for their efforts and it also provides a clear yardstick for students continuing on to A Level as to their current attainment levels.

The remainder of year 12 is spent studying the content for component three - The Historical Investigation.

This covers over 100 years of American history, specifically investigating the changing status of Afro-Americans in the USA: 1862-1969. The independent research, vital for success in this unit, is completed over the summer holidays so the essay can be completed early in year 13.

In Year 13

The rest of year 13 is spent completing components one and two in preparation for the final A Level exams. Looking in more detail at the Crusades causes and the course of the Third and Fourth Crusades along with their consequences. Students revisit the Making of Modern Britain in more detail looking at politicians, domestic policies and their impact on foreign policies. Other topics include divisions in the Labour Party, the formation of the SDP, the troubles in Northern Ireland, the Falklands.

Progression Routes

Success in history A Level can lead to higher education and ultimately result in a career in areas such as education, law, journalism, archaeology or the heritage industry.

Enrichment Opportunities

Enrichment opportunities are provided by way of cinema trips to watch new films relevant to our course, the annual trip to the Floral Pavilion for the Wirral’s tribute to Holocaust Memorial Day and our annual 2 day visit to Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, whereby our sixth-formers are peer leaders and outstanding role-models for the key stage 4 pupils

Course Entry Guidelines

Pupils will need to have a grade 6 in GCSE History and a grade 5 in English.

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