A Level History

In History you will study the individuals and events that have shaped our world. You will learn to be analytical, inquisitive and articulate. These are skills that will help you to succeed in the wider world.
History is a facilitating subject that combines a scientific approach to its methodology with the world view of a social science. It is highly regarded academically and is a perfect combination with both science and arts subjects. GCSE History is taught over 5 lessons a fortnight and is a very popular choice.

Syllabus: AQA exam board link

Course Content

Unit 1H: Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855-1964

This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions:

• How was Russia governed and how did political authority change and develop?
• Why did opposition develop and how effective was it?
• How and with what results did the economy develop and change?
• What was the extent of social and cultural change?
• How important were ideas and ideology?
• How important was the role of individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments?

Unit 2S: The Making of Modern Britain, 1951-2007

This option provides for the study in depth of the key political, economic, social and international changes which helped to mould Britain in the second half of the 20th century. It explores concepts such as government and opposition, class, social division and cultural change. It encourages students to reflect on Britain’s changing place in the world as well as the interrelationship between political policies, economic developments and political survival.

Unit 3: Non-Examined Assessment – Tudor Rebellion

The purpose of the Historical investigation is to enable students to develop the skills, knowledge and historical understanding acquired through the study of the examined components of the specification.
Through undertaking the Historical investigation students will develop an enhanced understanding of the nature and purpose of history as a discipline and how historians work. The Historical investigation contributes towards meeting the aims and objectives of the A-level specification. In particular it encourages students to:

• ask relevant and significant questions about the past and undertake research
• develop as independent learners and critical and reflective thinkers
• acquire an understanding of the nature of historical study
• organise and communicate their knowledge and understanding in a piece of sustained writing

Subject Specific Skills

Courses based on this specification should encourage students to:

• develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of specified key events, periods and societies in local, British, and wider world history; and of the wide diversity of human experience
• engage in historical enquiry to develop as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers
• develop the ability to ask relevant questions about the past, to investigate issues critically and to make valid historical claims by using a range of sources in their historical context
• develop an awareness of why people, events and developments have been accorded historical significance and how and why different interpretations have been constructed about them
• organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in different ways and reach substantiated conclusions

Assessment in A Level History

Assessment in History is by 80% Exam at the end of Year 13 and 20% NEA (coursework) completed in Year 13.
Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all AS and A Level History specifications and all exam boards.

The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives:

Setting in Sixth Form History

Students are taught in mixed ability groups

Homework

History homework is set on a weekly basis in KS5. Students will be expected to complete guided notes each week in order to prepare for their lessons. They will be expected to read widely around the subject, attend subject-specific lectures and complete essay questions.
The NEA unit is a large piece of independent work.

Supporting Students in A Level History

• Expect homework: We ask students to complete course notes every week without fail, in order to prepare them for the next lesson
• Essay questions: Expect students to be completing at least one essay question per Unit per term
• Check folders: Students are responsible for keeping their course notes in order in their folders. They have been given course outlines for both Units, with Personal Learning Checklists for content they need to cover
• Equipment: We ask students to purchase a textbook for each Unit and a copy of Revolutionary Russia by Orlando Figes. A-level revision guides for both Units are available from the History Department for £10 each. Reading will make the difference at A-level and reading lists for both Units are available on the Sixth Form website
• Visit sites / museums / exhibitions: Make the most of the fantastic resources we have in the local area and keep an eye out for exhibitions that are relevant to the course
• Coursework: In Year 13, students are required to complete an independent investigation of 3.500-4,000 words. They will need to access university and city libraries to complete their research

Revision Resources

Russia Booklet [PDF]
The Making of Modern Britain Intro Booklet [PDF]
Political Ideas PLC Politics [PDF]
UK PLC Politics [PDF]
US PLC Politics [PDF]

Super-Curricular Activities

• Students regularly attend talks and lectures in Bristol and Bath by well-known historians. Expect them to be doing so throughout the course
• The History department offers a Film Club, showing contextually relevant historical films
• We encourage students to take part in LEAP activities that help to develop their skills of persuasive argument, such as Model UN and University Early Entry sessions

Contact

Your class teacher will be more than happy to answer any queries you may have about the course.