History

A Level Transition Information

A Message from the History Department:

The study of History is a complex task but one that we hope you will find both
interesting and rewarding. As for its use, apart from as a qualification, there can be no
better definition at the beginning of the 21st century than this: ‘by uncovering the real
causes of History we may be spared it’s horrendous repetition’

The department welcomes you, wants you to work hard, read widely, be successful and
enjoy the subject.

Mr Bridges (Acting Head of History and Politics)

Results 2022 A*- A 35% A*- C 87%

 History
What can I expect from studying Edexcel A-Level History?

What topics will I study?

Year 1 Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations Paper 2: Depth study

· 30% A level, 2 hours 15 minutes, AO1 and AO3 · 20% A level, 1 hour 30 minutes, AO1 and AO2

We study route F: ‘Searching for rights and freedoms We study route F: ‘Searching for rights and freedoms
in the twentieth century.’ This is the thematic in the twentieth century.’ This is the thematic
connection between Paper 1 and Paper 2. connection between Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Paper 1 is on America: In search of the American Paper 2 is on South Africa: South Africa, 1948–94:
Dream: the USA, c1917–96 from apartheid state to ‘rainbow nation’

Assessment: Assessment:
Section A: one breadth essay, Section B: one breadth Section A: one source question, Section B: one depth
essay, Section C: one interpretations essay.

Year 2 Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth Coursework

· 30% A level, 2 hours 15 minutes, AO1 and AO2 · 20%, AO1 and AO3

We study option 31: Rebellion and disorder under
the Tudors, 1485–1603.
Assessment:
Section A: one source question, Section B: one depth
essay, Section C: one breadth essay
Students complete an independently researched
enquiry on historical interpretations. Our enquiry is
on the Holocaust, whether it was a long-term plan,
and how far ordinary Germans supported the
Holocaust.
Assessment:
3000-4000 word essay

What is the workload like?

● You will have nine lessons a fortnight, split across different modules.
● You will usually be expected to undertake flipped-learning (read ahead before the lessons to assist
comprehension of the course and efficiency of lesson time).
● You will be expected to produce one or two essays per topic, each half-term. This will help you
consistently develop your exam technique and essay writing throughout the course.
● You will also be expected to undertake some wider reading to boost your confidence and depth to your
understanding of the course.
● In lessons, you will be working independently and in groups to:
○ Research and discuss aspects of the course, drawing links and comparisons between events
and themes.
○ Analyse primary sources and evaluate historical interpretations of the past.
○ Debate key questions and develop coherent and sustained arguments.
What skills will I learn?
A-Level History is a subject which looks to develop you as an independent
learner, whilst also helping to improve wider, cross-curricular skills that will be
vital foundational traits for your future professional and personal lives.
 ● Reading and writing is a large part of History, but aside from just taking in a large amount of
information we look to develop the ability to be selective with material in order to create
detailed notes efficiently.
● Thematic studies look to develop the skill of making comparisons and drawing connections
across a variety of factors and issues.
● Through analysing primary sources, you will be developing your ability to think critically about
the provenance and context of documents and how they affect the usefulness of the source.
● In evaluating historical interpretations you will be scrutinizing the validity and weight of
arguments by cross-referencing evidence.
● Coursework will help you to develop the abilities of independent research, time management,
and extended writing, whilst also incorporating the historical skills discussed above.

What careers can I do that are related to History?

● History teacher (the best job, obviously).
● Museum Curator / Archivist - If you have a particular topic you enjoy and wish to specialise in.
● Academic Researcher - As above, if you are interested in continuing research in a particular
topic, working with a university to be at the forefront of knowledge in a certain field.
● Lawyer - A common transition, as it draws upon analysing and cross-referencing evidence in
order to create a sustained argument.
● Journalism - Makes use of the independent nature of History, also drawing upon the skills of
research and extended writing.
● Politics (Civil Servant or Politician) - History and Politics are heavily linked. The skills of
research and creating evidence-based arguments is a real asset in Westminster.
● Research Analyst - Once again, research is a large part of History and many companies have
branches that look into developing their business and scoping out competition.
● Marketing - Building on the ability to draw out themes and trends using evidence.
● Accountancy and Banking - A surprisingly common transition, many banks are interested in
graduates who can draw out trends and themes from evidence
Why study History?
History is a rich and vibrant subject that allows you to understand the past, not only in broad and
abstract terms but also on a deeply personal level through discovering the voices of people who lived
years, decades, and centuries before us.
Not only does the Edexcel A-Level course follow on naturally from the GCSE (both in terms of content
and skills), but it will help you orientate yourself in the world today. History is a subject that can help
you understand how the world has developed into its current state, and why certain peoples and
cultures act in the way that they do.
In a more professional sense, History is a multi-applicable discipline that lends itself to a wide range
of higher-education courses and future careers, as it develops a lot of foundational skills that
employers like to see.
 History Reading List
Aim to complete at least one of these from each section by the start of the course, try to vary between books, online
videos, articles, and films. You do not have to read the whole book but chapters from a number of books would be a
good introduction.

Keep a record of your work in the form of a book/film review: what have you learnt? Is there anything you need
explaining?

Books and Reading TED Talks / Documentaries to

watch
South Africa: South Africa:
Nelson Mandela, The Long Walk Mandela: From Prison to President,
to Freedom (Abacus, 2013) Apartheid Documentary, Timeline.

Tevor Noah: Born a Crime Stories from a South African https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk-Lxgp9NWg

Childhood (John Murray, 2016)
Saul Dubow: Apartheid, 1948-1994 (Oxford
Histories, 2014)
USA:
Eric Foner, Give me Liberty.
Bob Spitz, “Reagan: An American Journey” Penguin
Press: 2018.
USA:
Crash Course US History
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtMw
mepBjTSG593eG7ObzO7s
Tudor Rebellions:
Britain's Bloody Crown, Wars of the Roses Documentary,
Timeline, especially: A Mother's Love Ep 4 of 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3qER3Z3QyA

Tudor Rebellions: Online Journals and

Anthony Fletcher and Diarmaid MacCulloch, Tudor Articles
Rebellions (Pearson Education, 2008). South Africa:
South Africa History online
The Holocaust: https://www.sahistory.org.za/
Christopher Browning, Ordinary Men (Harper
Perennial, 1992) USA:
National Humanities Center, Freedom’s Story
Ian Kershaw, Hitler (Penguin Books, 1991) http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/freedom/free
dom.htm

Tudor Rebellions:
Ask the department for the Audiopi Podcast Series!

Tudor Rebellions:
Films The White Queen, BBC series
South Africa:
(2013)
Invictus (2010)
The Tudors, BBC series
Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom (2014)
( 2007-2010)
Cry Freedom (1987)
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
USA: The Holocaust:
13th (2016) [Doc] Schindler’s List (1993)
Selma (2014) Son of Saul (2015)
Forrest Gump (1994) The Pianist (2002)
Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution (2005) [Doc]
Good Luck! We look forward to welcoming you onto the course. If you have any more questions please do
not hesitate to ask the History department.

HOD: Miss Bennett

KS5 Coordinator: Mr Blackmore

Dept Members who also teach A-level: Mrs O’Neill, Mr Bridges

Medium Topic What did you learn/questions?

Trips:
There will be a year 12 History trip to Hampton Court in Summer B.

Historians have disagreed about the extent to which the Holocaust

was a long-term plan.

What is your view about the extent to which the Holocaust was a
long-term plan?

What is your view about the extent to which Hitler was

predominantly responsible?

What is your view about the extent to which ordinary people

supported the Holocaust?