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Key Stage 3

History in Key Stage 3 provides students with a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Students are encouraged to understand the complexity of different issues whilst developing a critical, analytical approach to key events and developments.

The teaching of History at Nicholas Breakspear provides students with a secure chronological understanding of British history from the eleventh to the twentieth century, as well as some key developments from world history. Key themes are also developed through Key Stage 3 to encourage students to see links and patterns between different time periods.

In line with the National Curriculum, the teaching of History at Nicholas Breakspear aims to ensure that all students:

know and understand the history of Britain, understanding how people’s lives have shaped the country and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world
know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world
gain and deploy a historically grounded understanding of key vocabulary
understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance, and use them to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically valid questions and create their own structured accounts
understand the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims, and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed
gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts: understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history; and between short- and long-term timescales.

Key Stage 4

GCSE History

GCSE History builds on the knowledge gained at Key Stage 3 as well as introducing a number of other key topics. GCSE History further develops the ability to analyse and evaluate the significance of past events, and develop an understanding of key historical concepts such as cause and consequence. It also further develops skills in debating, analysing, justifying, and reading between the lines.

Awarding Body: Eduqas

Subject Contact: Miss C Lewis

Course Outline

Two Depth studies:

The Elizabethan Age, 1558-1603. (Elizabethan government, lifestyles of rich and poor, popular entertainment, the problem of religion, Spanish Armada).
The USA: A Nation of Contrasts, 1910-1929 (Immigration, religion & race, crime & corruption, economic boom, Wall Street Crash, popular entertainment, role of women).

Two Breadth studies which include a Period study entitled:

The Development of Germany, 1919-1991 (Weimar Germany, rise of the Nazis, World War II, West & East Germany, Cold War relations, re-unification of Germany)
Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain, c.500 to the present day (Causes of crime, nature of crime, enforcing law & order, methods of combating crime, methods of punishment, attitudes to crime and punishment)

Assessment

Two written examinations:

A Depth Study Paper lasting 2 hours (split into two papers of 1 hour duration each) worth 50% of the qualification. There will be questions testing your ability to analyse historical sources, interpretations and concepts.

A Breadth Study Paper also lasting two hours (split into two papers of 45 minutes for the Period study and 1hr 15 minutes for the Thematic study) worth 50% of the qualification.

There will be questions testing your ability to explain and evaluate the historical concepts of continuity, change, cause, consequence, significance, similarity and difference.

Career Progression

Universities and employers value History very highly. You will develop the skills of critical analysis, debating, expressing a clear personal point of view and
organising and presenting information.

https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/history/

Key Stage 5

A-Level History

Course Content

Unit 1 In search of the American Dream – The USA c1917-96

Unit 2 South Africa: 1948-94 From apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’

Unit 3 Rebellion & disorder under the Tudors, 1485-1603

Unit 4 The end of the Cold War

Learning Methods and Assessment

A variety of teaching methods is adopted throughout the course. Most lessons are centred on class discussion informed by teacher notes and student background reading. Regular note taking and essay writing are key methods.

In addition, historical sources are analysed and student led seminar sessions are a feature of each modular study.

Unit 1 Examination 2 hour 15 minutes 30% A Level

Unit 2 Examination 1 hour 30 minutes 20% A Level

Unit 3 Examination 2 hour 15 minutes 30% A Level

Unit 4 Coursework 20% A Level

Expectations of Students

Regular background reading remains the key to success at History A Level. This should be supplemented by the willingness to plan written work carefully and meet deadlines. It is expected that students will take an active interest in current affairs to inform their studies.

Careers Prospects

History can be used in a wide range of careers, either by using specific historical skills (such as source analyst, museum curator, local government officer, teacher) or by virtue of showing that you have a trained analytical mind and can develop independent conclusive arguments (such as graduate management schemes, marketing and law). It is a qualification valued by all Universities and Colleges.

Awarding Body: Edexcel