We’re passionate about trying to instil an interest in the past, whilst also helping students to understand how the world is shaped today. The A Level History course will develop your interest in and enthusiasm for history and give you a deeper understanding of its intrinsic value and significance. We follow the Edexcel specification.
“I am pleased I chose History because the topics within the course have been very interesting and the work is challenging, yet also rewarding when it pays off in our essays. Throughout my studies in Year 12 History I have enjoyed learning about Britain’s political history as well as studying aspects of World War II in the American section of the course. Additionally, seeing my grades on essays gradually improve over the course of the year as we have learnt more has been quite satisfying.
Callum
Hear from our Head of A Level History – video coming soon!
Mr Hester
Head of History
This course will build on your understanding of the past through experiencing a broad and balanced course of study which focuses on four different periods of history.
Year 1
1. Britain transformed, 1918-97
This unit examines a variety of aspects of life in Britain during this period:
- the key political and economic changes and the development of work and industry
- the creation of the welfare state and the NHS and the development of education
- key social changes including class relations, women’s rights, the ‘liberal’ society of the 1960s and immigration and race relations
- the changing quality of life including the impact of war, the growth of consumerism, leisure and travel, popular culture and youth culture
2. The USA, c.1920-55 – boom, bust and recovery
This unit is focused on the social and economic developments in the USA during this period:
- the boom of the 1920s and the Great Depression
- the impact of the Second World War on US society
- race relations and the civil rights movement
- the emergence of popular culture, including radio, cinema and television
Year 2
3. The witch craze in Europe and North America, c.1580-1750
In this unit you will learn about the emergence of the obsession with witches and witchcraft in Europe and North America in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This unit is particularly concerned with the tension between traditional beliefs and the emerging ideas of the so-called Age of Reason. You will look at a number of case studies to develop your understanding of this topic:
- the North Berwick Witches, 1590-91
- the Lancashire Witches, 1604-13
- the Great Witch Hunt in Bamberg, Germany, 1623-32
- Matthew Hopkins and the East Anglian witch craze, 1645-47
- the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts, 1692-93
4. The Origins of the First World War c.1870-1914
This is a coursework unit concerned with the different events, personalities and issues which contributed towards the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. In addition to events of the period, you will also focus on understanding how historians research their topics and about the nature of historical debate. You will then complete a coursework assignment based on your own research.
Assessment
There are three exam papers.
Paper 1 assesses content from Britain transformed and is 2 hours 15 minutes. It makes up 30% of the A Level. It contains two essay questions from a choice and one compulsory question that assesses your ability to analyse and evaluate interpretations.
Paper 2 assessess content from The USA and is 1 hour 30 minutes. It makes up 20% of the A Level. It contains one compulsory question that assesses your ability to analyse and evaluate source material that is primary and/or contemporary to the period, and one essay question from a choice.
Paper 3 assesses content from The witch craze in Europe and North America and is 2 hours 15 minutes. It makes up 30% of the A Level. It contains one compulsory question that assesses your ability to analyse and evaluate source material that is primary and/or contemporary to the period, and two essay questions from a choice.
The coursework makes up 20% of the A Level.
Entry Requirements
Minimum 65444 including 6 in History and 5 in English Language or Literature GCSE.
Back to all courses