Why study this subject?

• History is an engaging and exciting course that will introduce students to some of the most important and transformative periods of human history.
• To understand the future, you must understand the past. History is about the people and events which have shaped the world in which we live today. By studying 'The Rise of Hitler', 'The Cold War', 'Elizabethan England' and the 'Development of Medicine', you will gain a broad range of historical knowledge that will help you to understand the complex times we live in.
• History equips you with a wide range of skills which are transferable and valued by employers. GCSE History is highly respected by employers and further/ higher education.

Aims of the course

• To develop secure knowledge of a range of historical eras and events from medieval England to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
• To develop the ability to engage with source material in a critical way.
• To understand how and why different interpretations develop.
• To develop an ability to express complex ideas, arguments and interpretations effectively in writing.
• To become curious and reflective young people with enquiring minds.
• To instil a deep and lifelong passion for history.

What can this course lead to?

• History is recognised as a valuable qualification for a range of courses and careers.
• History can aid entry into careers such as teaching, journalism, politics and law.
• Many further and higher education courses contain elements of history so a grounding in historical skills is good preparation for any course.
• A lifelong interest in the human experience and the events that have shaped the world we live in today.

Expectations of subject

• The exam is made up of 3 written papers which are all sat at the end of year 11 so students opting for History will need to be able to commit large amounts of factual information to memory, and strong literacy is a key requirement in order to be successful in History.
• Students will have to engage with source material in a critical way and therefore they are expected to read widely and take an interest in current affairs to set historical events in a wider context.
• Independent study and organisation are key requirements of the course – regularly meeting deadlines and completing homework to high standard will be essential to student success.

Support and provisions

• Revision guides for each topic are available to purchase through the school – more challenging revision guides are also available for purchase.

• Homework booklets are provided to students throughout the course to ensure that all course content is revisited.