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A High Performing Specialist Academy for Technology & Applied Learning

Key Stage 4

All students have the option to take History at GCSE as a three year course and a complete two year course in Year 10. The GCSE builds on skills and topics studied at KS3 and enables students to study different aspects of the past, so they can engage with key issues such as conflict and understand what drives change and how the past can influence the present. The course covers:

  • One period study
  • One thematic study
  • One wider world depth study
  • One British Depth Study including the historic environment.

The course is designed to equip students with skills and knowledge that are highly respected by universities and employers:

  • Develop key analytical skills by using sources as part of debate
  • Know and understand how events have shaped our world today
  • Develop literacy and writing skills by engaging with historical debate
  • Develop and extend knowledge and understanding of key events, periods and societies in local, British and wider world history and human experience
  • Engage in historical enquiry to develop learners as critical and reflective thinkers
  • Develop an awareness of why people, events and developments have been accorded historical significance and how and why different interpretations have been constructed about them
  • Organise work effectively and reach substantiated conclusions.

“History has been a fulfilling subject for me that has been no less than interesting, through a wide variety of topics.  The teaching and support available in the History Department here at Collingwood is second to none and I am looking forward to expand on my skills by studying History, Law and Economics at A level.”  Cameron Vos

What is Studied?

There are two exams at the end of Year 11:

Paper

Length

Topics covered

Question types

1

 

Section A:

Wider world depth studies - Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship

Section B:

Conflict and tension 1894-1918

A combination of source based questions and extended written answers.

2

 

Section A:

Thematic studies - Britain: health and the people c1000 to the present day

Section B:

British depth studies including historic environment - Norman England, c1066–c1100

A combination of source based questions and extended written answers.

How is it assessed?

Both papers are equally weighted, ensuring students receive a balance and coherent course of study which enables them to develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of specified key events, periods and societies and exposure to a wide diversity of human experience.  There are also a selection of shorter questions enabling all to succeed in achieving a GCSE followed by longer questions which require further in depth knowledge and analysis.

Below are samples of typical questions:

 

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Curriculum Information