Vision Statement

The History department’s vision is to produce students that achieve highly and are inquisitive, well rounded, and well equipped to attain their personal best. One of the main targets of the History curriculum is to make students aware of the diversity of people, places, and activities in the past and how this contributes to our world today and in the future. Students have opportunities to learn outside of the classroom to see how History can be brought to life as well as central to the modern world. This is achieved through visits to Hampton Court Palace and Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp in Poland. As well as garnering a passion for the subject and its importance we aim to show how the academic study of History can increase transferrable skills such as argument, analysis, evaluation of information and sources of information that help to facilitate students for higher education or the world of work.

Specification being followed: OCR A Level History A (H505)

Year 12
Year 13

Year 12

Introduction video

The Early Tudors 1485 – 1558

Students study developments in power, society and religion during the Tudor period. Students are required to answer essay-based questions on Henry VII and Henry VIII and critically analyse primary sources from the reigns of both Edward VI and Mary I.

Democracy and Dictatorships in Germany 1919-63

Students will look at the rise and fall of the Weimar Republic, the rise of the Nazi party and how life changed for German people during their time in power. Students will also study the post war period that led to a divided Germany and the conditions that the German people lived under in East and West Germany up to 1963.

Year 13

Introduction video

Russia and its Rulers 1855-1964

Students will undertake a thematic study that looks for similarities and contrasting factors between the rulers between the periods of 1855 and 1964. As well as looking at leaders such as Nicholas II, Lenin and Stalin. Students will undertake a number of depth studies looking at Alexander II, Russia’s Provisional Government after the abdication of Nicholas II and Khrushchev.

Topic Based Essay

Students will undertake a 4000 word academic essay that tests the validity of Historian’s interpretations against their knowledge and primary sources.