History

Lower School

GCSE

A Level

Tatton Hall

Lower School History

First Year

Autumn Term

1. What is History? An introduction to historical skills, especially chronology.

2. The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Foundation of Rome, The Roman Republic, The Roman Empire, Religion, Entertainment.

Spring Term

1. Completion of the Romans: Roman Britain, The Fall of the Empire.

2. Medieval Realms: Early invasions (eg. Saxons), The Norman Conquest, Castles, Feudal System, Doomsday Survey, The Black Death.

Summer Term

1. Completion of Medieval Realms: Religion, The Peasants' Revolt, Warfare and Relations with other Countries, Arts and Architecture.

2. End of Year Examination.

Second Year

Autumn Term

The Making of the United Kingdom. (a) Tudor Monarchy - Henry VII to Elizabeth I (b) The Renaissance.

Spring Term

Continuation of the Making of the United Kingdom. (a) The Problem of the Poor (b) The Stuart Monarchy (c) Social Changes and Problems (including the Great Fire of London and the Plague). (d) Cultural developments, eg. Science.

Summer Term

1. Completion of the Making of the United Kingdom (a) The Formation of the United Kingdom (b) The Jacobite Rebellions

2. The American West (a) The West as a Region (b) The Indian Way of Life (c) Early White Settlers

3. End of Year Examination

Third Year

Autumn Term

1. The Industrial Revolution (a) Transport (visit to Ellesmere Port Boat Museum) (b) Industry (visit to Style Mill = project worth 20% of final examination) (c) Social change (d) Triangular Trade

Spring Term

1. The Holocaust.

2. The Russian Revolution: Causes, Events, Impact on Europe.

Summer Term

1. 20th Century World: World War One, World War Two (including the Home Front).

2. End of Year Examination.

Fourth Year GCSE History

The Syllabus

We follow AQA History Syllabus 'B'. This is a Modern World History Course based mostly in the twentieth century.

Term 1

Candidates will study 'The Origins of the First World War', 'The Main Events of the First World War' and 'The Home Front 1914-18'. They will also examine the Terms and Consequences of The Treaty of Versailles.

Half-Term

Students will examine the Weimar Republic and specifically the question 'To what extent it was 'doomed from the start'. They will then focus upon the Great Depression and its impact on the Weimar Republic 1924-33.

Term 2

We will evaluate the role of Appeasement and Hitler's Foreign Policy 1933-9 as causes of World War Two. In February this knowledge will be reinforced by a visit to Manchester Playhouse to view the excellent production 'Hitler on Trial'.

Half-Term

Students will look at Nazi Rule in Germany 1934-39. The key issues to address will be 'What were the main features of the dictatorships?' and 'How far did German people benefit from Nazi rule in the 1930s?'

Term 3

Candidates are to study many aspects of the Second World War. These will include, 'The technological development of weapons and 'The civilian experience of war'.

Half-Term

A short revision session followed by a substantial examination based on past GCSE questions.

Term 4

The students will study USA/1919-1941. We will look at the growth of Isolation 1919-22, The Economic Boom and American Society in the 1920s, and America in Depression 1929-33.

Half-Term

Candidates are to examine 'Recovery from Depression 1933-41'. This will include a detailed look at Roosevelt and the New Deal and its effectiveness. This is followed by two weeks of revision.

Term 5

The students will sit a past GCSE paper as their 'mock' examination. Subsequent lessons will be devoted to going over the examination. The remainder of the term will be devoted to the coursework element on the Vietnamese War.

Term 6

The students will very briefly cover key aspects of The Cold War 1945-1963. There will also be time to revise and attempt many past papers.

Assessment

As well as being monitored on a weekly basis the candidates will sit frequent short tests in class at the end of each topic. More substantial examinations take place at the end of the Fourth Year and at the start of Term Five in the Fifth Year.

Teaching Methods

A variety of approaches are used. Apart from traditional all class teaching using worksheets, videos and audio cassettes are used frequently to aid the learning process. Candidates are also encouraged to undertake research using the IT Laboratory and the Library. Group work and role play exercises are also adopted when appropriate.

6th Form A and AS level

Course requirements:
Prospective students should normally have a pass in GCSE History (Grades A-C) - although exceptions may be made. Those wishing to read History at University will find GCSE in a foreign language an advantage in general - and an essential requirement for some History degree courses.

The Course:
The new specification is designed to enable students to study aspects of Modern History in breadth and depth and to develop expertise in a variety of skills.

(i) Scheme of Assessment:

The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) forms the first 50% of an 'A' level course. AS is assessed at a standard between GCSE and 'A' level and can be taken as a stand alone course or as part of the full 'A' level course.

AS candidates take units 1, 2 and 3.
'A' level candidates take units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

The examinations will take place in January and June each year for Units 1-4. Units 5 and 6 (Synoptic Assessment) will be examined only in June.

The assessment of KEY SKILLS will be incorporated into the Specification and History written work can be included as evidence in students' Key Skills portfolios.

(ii) Specification Components:

Unit 1 Papers 1-2 1 structured question 1 hour 15 minutes
Unit 2 Papers 3-4 1 structured question 1 hour
Unit 3 Papers 5-6 1 structured question 1 hour
Unit 4 Papers 7-8 1 structured question1 essay 1 hour 30 minutes
Unit 5 Paper 9-10 2 essays 1 hour 30 minutes
Unit 6 Extended Essay (coursework) Prepared essay 2,500 words
Unit 7 Extended Essay (examination) Alternative examination instead of coursework 1 hour 30 minutes

(iii) Specification Content:

Unit 1 (AS): Document Study
Nazi Germany: 1933-45. Source based questions

Unit 2 (AS): Period Study: English History
Britain: 1918 - 1939. Structured question on specified topics

Unit 3 (AS): Period Study: European History
Germany 1914 - 1945. Structured question on specified topics

Unit 4 (A2): Historical Investigations: In Depth Studies
Chamberlain and Anglo-German relations 1918-39.

Unit 5 (A2): Themes in History
Russian Dictatorship 1855 - 1956. A broad study of 100 year period.

Unit 6 (A2): Independent Investigation
Coursework. A wide choice of questions will be set by the Examination Board two years in advance. Coursework essays must be submitted to OCR for external marking by June of the A2 year.

Teaching Methods:
Methods include lectures and seminars. Video-tapes and other audio and visual materials are in regular use and a wide variety of reference books is available. However, the emphasis lies very much on the student's independent reading and writing, and discussion with other students and staff.

General Comments:
History at 'A' level combines well with subjects such as English, Geography, Economics, Politics and Languages as well as Maths and Science subjects. It is an essential prerequisite for a Degree Course in Historical Studies but will also provide a useful basis for Social Sciences, Politics and Law. A qualification in History will prove an asset in such careers as Accountancy, Teaching, Civil Service, Journalism, Law, Social Services, Banking and Personnel Management.

Lower School Trip to Tatton Hall

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