History at KS5

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If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please contact the Head of Department.

Course ID

Edexcel 9H10

Faculty

Humanities

Department

History

Level

Key Stage 5 (A-Level)

Head of Faculty

E. Richman

Head of Department

C. Johns

History at KS5 is designed to extend and build upon the learning at KS4, and to develop and embed further the skills and processes begun lower down the school.

Our aim is for students to develop a greater sense of independence within high challenge, high support classrooms that places student progress at the heart of learning. Ultimately it is our objective to ensure students have the skills and knowledge required for progression to further study, hopefully in our subject area. We aim to develop effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds. We want our students to leave with the ability to ask relevant and significant questions and have acquired an understanding of the nature of historical study as well as an understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills. We also pride ourselves on inspiring students to develop a love of History and work hard to equip students with the ability to think critically, to write academically and to develop reasoned and analytical arguments. The key stage is well planned and well-resourced and students benefit from a good degree of organisation. Students follow a course thoughtfully designed to maximise attainment with more accessible courses delivered at Year 12 and with copious revision time planned for in Year 13. Students are set regular exam practice and a particular strength of the course is the focus on, and success in, helping students learn how to write in an academic fashion.

Curriculum Termly Breakdown by Year

Year 12

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	1F: In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c. 1917-1996 The Changing Political Environment 1917-80 2F: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ Background The response to apartheid, c1948–59	‘A’ Level exam style essay.
Autumn 2	1F: In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c. 1917-1996 The Quest for Civil Rights 1917-80 2F: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ The response to apartheid, c1948–59	‘A’ Level exam style essay – timed.
Spring 1	1F: In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c. 1917-1996 Society and culture in change 1917-80 2F: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ Radicalisation of resistance and the consolidation of National Party power, 1960–68	‘A’ Level exam style essay.
Spring 2	1F: In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c. 1917-1996 The changing quality of life, 1917-80 2F: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ Redefining resistance and challenges to National Party power, 1968-83	‘A’ Level exam style essay – timed.
Summer 1	1F: In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c. 1917-1996 Review and revision 2F: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ The end of apartheid and the creation of the ‘rainbow nation’, 1984–94	Essay planning and timed essay writing practice.
Summer 2	History Coursework Students complete an independently researched enquiry on historical interpretations (3000-4000 words) 2F: South Africa, 1948–94: from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’ The end of apartheid and the creation of the ‘rainbow nation’, 1984–94 Review and revision	Coursework proposal. Resource Record Sheet.

Year 13

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	History Coursework Students complete an independently researched enquiry on historical interpretations (3000-4000 words). Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780-1928 Depth 1: Radical reformers, c1790-1819. Depth 2 Chartism, c1838-c1850.	Ongoing support and feedback on research methodology and written task. Resource Record Sheet. Students complete one Part A and one Part B exam questions for each Depth Study including those set in the January mock and timed work in class.
Autumn 2	History Coursework Students complete an independently researched enquiry on historical interpretations (3000-4000 words). Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780-1928 Depth 3: Contagious Diseases Acts and the campaign for their repeal, 1862-86. Depth 4: The Women’s Social and Political Union, 1903-14.	First draft of coursework. Resource Record Sheet. Students complete one Part A and one Part B exam questions for each Depth Study including those set in the January mock and times in class.
Spring 1	Historical Interpretations: What impact did the Reagan presidency have on the USA in the years 1981-96? Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780-1928 Depth 5: Trades union militancy, 1917-27. Breadth 1: Reform of parliament.	Final draft of coursework and Resource Record Sheet. Students complete one Part A and one Part B exam question from Depth Study 5.
Spring 2	Historical Interpretations: What impact did the Reagan presidency have on the USA in the years 1981-96? Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780-1928 Breadth 1: Reform of parliament. Breadth 2: Changing influences in parliament: the impact of parliamentary reform.	Students complete one Part C essay for each Breadth Study.
Summer 1	Historical Interpretations: What impact did the Reagan presidency have on the USA in the years 1981-96? Revision and examination preparation Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780-1928 Students finish off the final breadth study and then follow a planned revision programme.
Summer 2	‘A’ Level Examination.	‘A’ Level Examination.

Extended Learning

Year 12

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
Edexcel History; BBC Bitesize History; National Archives; BBC History Programmes.			Two students have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project. Students are invited to attend the Holocaust Speaker event.

Year 13

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
Edexcel History; BBC Bitesize History; National Archives; BBC History Programmes.	Students are supplied with a reading list for Paper 3 and reading for their coursework unit will be determined by the question they choose.	Students could visit the Imperial war Museum to support their coursework should they choose to study World War I or II. They may also wish to visit the Royal Airforce Museum in Barnet. Students could visit the British Museum and the British library is a wonderful place to visit and work particularly when completing the coursework component.	Two students have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project. Students are invited to attend the Holocaust Speaker event.