Why should I study this subject?
GCSE History is a challenging and rewarding subject that develops essential skills in analysis, evaluation, argument and communication. These skills are highly valued across a wide range of careers, including business and management, administration, nursing, the armed forces and the law.
Studying History helps students gain a deep understanding of people: what motivates them, how they think, and why they act as they do. This insight into human behaviour is extremely important in many professions.
People are, of course, the most fascinating subject of all. Our History course is filled with compelling events and memorable characters that bring the past to life. As much of the evidence for human activity lies in the past, studying History allows students to better understand the world they live in today.
GCSE History is a nationally popular course, carefully designed to be engaging, stimulating and enjoyable, helping students to develop confidence, curiosity and academic success.
What will I study?
The course content includes:
- The American West
- Henry VIII and His Ministers
- Medicine Through Time
- Weimar and Nazi Germany
How will I be assessed?
The exam board for history is Edexcel and assessment is 100% by examination at the end of the two-year course. This is broken down into three papers, as detailed below.
Paper 1: British Thematic Study with Historic Environment
- Topics covered: History of Medicine from Roman times until the present day and the problems of treating the wounded in the trenches on the Western Front
- Exam duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Worth 30% of final mark
Paper 2: Period Study and British Depth Study
- Topics covered: American West c.1835-1895 and Henry VIII and His Ministers 1509-1540
- Exam duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Worth 40% of final mark
Paper 3: Modern Depth Study
- Topics covered: Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-1939
- Exam duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Worth 30% of final mark
Are there higher and foundation tiers?
No. All students sit the same exam and study the same content, with questions designed to allow achievement across the full range of grades (9–1).
Are there any trips or enrichment opportunities?
The History Department strongly believes in the value of studying the physical remains of the past in the landscape. We aim to take students to local historical landmarks such as Wenlock Priory and Buildwas Abbey as well as to sites abroad like the WWI battlefields.
Will the course be a good preparation for A Level?
Yes it will. The History of Medicine enables students to get an overview of the whole sweep of British history giving a background knowledge of political, religious and technological changes. American history is increasingly popular in A Level and university courses and so the American West is good preparation for such studies. The Tudors and the Nazis are the two most popular topics in History A Level courses and our Henry VIII and Germany topics are excellent introductions.
