In History, students study the individuals and events that have shaped our world. They learn to be analytical, inquisitive and articulate. These are skills that will help you to succeed in the wider world.
This is an exciting course with a great range of topics, from the significance of Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War, through the struggles faced by Elizabeth I, to the rise of the Nazi Party in 1920s Germany.
We start our GCSE course in Year 9, looking at contextual background behind the 20th century conflicts of World War One and World War Two to consolidate knowledge for our Germany and Conflict and tension papers. In year 9 we also study the causes of World War One in detail. Students will lead an investigation into the extent of progress made in the decade known as the ‘Roaring Twenties’. Students study the life of Jewish people in Germany in the 1930s, making judgements on how the Holocaust was humanly possible and complete a range of GCSE assessments including a source analysis of propaganda used under the Nazi regime.
GCSE History is taught over 3 lessons a fortnight in Year 9, 5 lessons a fortnight in Year 10 and 11 and is a very popular choice.
Course Content: GCSE History
Students studying GCSE History follow the AQA course (course code: 8145), taught across 5 hours per fortnight. The course covers the following content headings:
Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship
This period study focuses on the development of Germany during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of democracy and dictatorship – the development and collapse of democracy and the rise and fall of Nazism.
Conflict and tension: The Inter-war Years, 1918-1939
This wider world depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of different individuals and states including the Great Powers. It looks at concepts such as national self-determination, ideas of internationalism and the challenges of revising the peace settlement. It focuses on the causes of the Second World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the issues which caused it.
Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day
This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how medicine and public health developed in Britain over a long period of time. It considers the causes, scale, nature and consequences of short and long term developments, their impact on British society and how they were related to the key features and characteristics of the periods during which they took place.
Elizabethan England, c1568-1603
This option allows students to study in depth a specified period, the last 35 years of Elizabeth I’s reign. The study will focus on major events of Elizabeth I’s reign considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoints, and arising contemporary and historical controversies.
Subject Specific Skills
The essential qualities you will need are determination and resilience; these qualities lead students to re-draft and improve their work in order to maximize their potential. You will learn to communicate clearly; to write developed explanations (using PEEL); to question opinions and evidence; to substantiate your judgments; and most importantly, to identify those areas of the course with which you need further help; to ask for help will be the key to success.
History Resources
AQA GCSE History Examboard Specification
History Personal Learning Checklists (PLCs)
Year 9
Lower School History – PLC – Year 9 [PDF]
Year 10
Britain: Health and the people: c1000 to the present day [PDF]
Conflict and tension: The Inter-war Years, 1918-1939 [PDF]
Year 11
Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship [PDF]
Elizabethan England, c1568-1603 [PDF]
Assessment in GCSE History
Assessment in History is by 100% written exam at the end of Year 11. Students will study two papers, each of which contributes 50% of marks towards the final grade awarded (1 to 9):
Paper 1 – Understanding the modern world (I hour and 45 minutes)
Paper 2 – Shaping the nation (I hour and 45 minutes)
Marking of Students’ Work and Feedback
Each term, GCSE students are assessed on their progress made across a range of historical skills, known as Assessment Objectives (AOs). Assessment Objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all GCSE History specifications and all exam boards.
The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives:
- AO1: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the period studied
- AO2: explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts
- AO3: analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporay to the period) to make substantiated judeents, in the context of historical events studied
- AO4: analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgements about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied.
Year | Assessment Date | Focus/Title | Assessment Objective | Type of Assessment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Year 10 | Term 1 | Britain, Health and the People: Medieval/Renaissance | AO1/AO2/AO3 | Knowledge test and exam questions |
Term 2 | Britain, Health and the People: The Industrial Revolution | Knowledge test and exam questions | ||
Term 3 | Britain, Health and the People: The Twentieth Century | Knowledge test and exam questions | ||
Term 4 | Conflict and Tension, 1918-39: The 1920s | Knowledge test and exam questions | ||
Term 5 | Conflict and Tension, 1918-39: The 1930s | Knowledge test and exam questions | ||
Term 6 | Britain, Health and the People/ Conflict and Tension | Mock Exam | ||
Year 11 | Term 1 | Germany, 1890-1945: 1890-1929 | AO1/AO2/AO4 | Knowledge test and exam questions |
Term 2 | Germany, 1890-1945: 1929-45 | AO1/AO2/AO4 | Knowledge test and exam questions | |
Term 3 | Germany, 1890-1945/ Conflict and Tension | AO1/AO2/AO3/AO4 | Mock Exam | |
Term 4 | Elizabeth I, c1568-1603: 1568-88 | AO1/AO2/AO4 | Knowledge test and exam questions | |
Term 5 | Elizabeth I, c1568-1603: 1588-1603 | AO1/AO2/AO3 | Knowledge test and exam questions |
Setting in Upper School History
Students are predominantly taught in mixed ability groups. If 2 or more classes run at the same time, students may be set in order to allow them to work with those who are performing at similar levels and working at a similar pace.
Homework
History homework is set on a weekly basis. Students record homework in their planners and teachers share the work via SIMS Learning Gateway.
Homework is often set as ‘flipped-learning’. This requires students to read ahead and make notes in order to prepare them for their next History lesson. This style of homework allows students to develop key skills in class, with the aid of these notes.
Supporting Your Daughter in GCSE History
There are many ways in which you can support your daughter in the study of History.
There are numerous historical documentaries, series and films to support our curriculum. In Year 11, for example, we study Elizabethan England. Films, such as Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth: the Golden Age will help to contextual this era, along with television series such as the Tudors.
There are many great historical fiction books that support our course. George Orwell is a must for any student of History, and Animal Farm is a great starting point. Novels based in Nazi Germany, such as The Book Thief and The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas are a good introduction to the topic.
Finally, it is important to note that History is a content heavy course. Students are encouraged to purchase their own copies of the textbooks that we use in class, for revision purposes, along with the My Revision Notes – revision guide published by Hodder.
Revision and Support Materials
Y9 Quizlet – Revision Page
Y9: Trench Life – youtube playlist
Y9: Roaring Twenties – youtube playlist
Y9: Holocaust – youtube playlist
AQA GCSE History – exam board link
GCSE Quizlet – Revision Page
BBC GCSE Bitesize – History
Y10: Health and the People – youtube playlist
Y10: Inter-War Years – youtube playlist
Y11: Germany – youtube playlist
Y11: Elizabeth I – youtube playlist