As a History student, you will never experience the events that you study; instead you have to build up a picture from the evidence that has been left. You have to become skilled at asking questions, sometimes awkward questions; you will learn not to take everything at face value. You have to develop empathy and understanding of the actions and achievements of others; you have to be prepared to put your case and argue it well; you have to use evidence to draw conclusions and make judgements. These skills are highly desirable in many different careers and A -Level History is excellent training for any career where you have to use evidence or make decisions, especially where those decisions affect other people.
In Year 12 we follow the theme ‘Revolutions in early modern Europe’
Paper 1
In Paper 1 we study ‘Britain, 1625 -1701: conflict, revolution and settlement’ exploring the turbulent period of British History which saw the execution of the monarch, a short lived republic and the Glorious Revolution. This paper is the breadth study with a question focused on interpretations and the exam lasts 2 hours 15 minutes.
Paper 2
In Paper 2 we study Russia in revolution 1894-1924, a period which saw the end of Tsarist rule and The Bolshevik revolution. This paper is a depth study, again this will involve both source work and an essay. This will be examined by a paper which lasts 1 ½ hours.
In year 13 we study our final exam paper and undertake the coursework
Paper 3
We explore the Witchcraze in Europe and North America. A fascinating period in which being a witch became a capital offence and saw widespread hunts and executions. We explore the Pendle Witch families of Old Demdike and Old Chattox, the Bamberg Witch Hunt of Germany and the Salem Witch Trials of North America. We also study the rise of sceptical opinion and the Scientific Revolution. This topic incorporates sources and essay skills and is examined in a 2 hour and 15 minute exam.
Coursework
This independent task is set on Nazi Germany. Pupils are free to choose their own question and research independently. This is assessed by a 4,000 word essay.