Years 7-9

There will be lots of reading, writing, role–play, debates, discussions and opportunities to do independent research using a range of ICT and other visual material. You will also develop a range of skills which will enable you to understand sources and write essays. The skills developed during KS3 will prepare you well should you choose to study history at GCSE from year 10.

What will students study?

  • Historical skills
  • The Norman Conquest
  • The Church in medieval times
  • King John and the Magna Carta
  • The Black Death
  • The Crusades
  • Religious change during the Tudor period
  • Political change and the English Civil War
  • The Industrial Revolution
  • Slavery
  • The British Empire
  • Crime and punishment

Assessment

You will have regular unit assessments in class, usually one per unit. These will be formatively assessed by your teacher and your mark will be used to track your progress. You will also be set regular homework tasks. These could be extended pieces of writing, research tasks, producing presentations or revision for tests in class.

Years 10 and 11

Awarding body
Pearson Edexcel

Course overview

At GCSE, there will be lots of reading, writing, role–play, debates, discussions and opportunities to do independent research using a range of ICT and other visual material. You will also develop a range of skills which will enable you to understand sources and write essays.

What will students study?

  • Paper 1: Thematic study and historic environment. You will study Medicine in Britain, c1250–present. You will also study the British sector of the Western Front, 1914–1918: injuries, treatment and the trenches. This is worth 30% of the final qualification and is assessed by a 1 hour 15 minute examination.
  • Paper 2: Period study and British depth study. You will complete an in-depth study on Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–1088, and a period study option on superpower
    relations and the Cold War 1941-1991. This is worth 40% of the final qualification and is assessed as a 1 hour 45 minute examination.
  • Paper 3: Modern depth study. You will study Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918–1939. This is worth 30% of the final qualification and is assessed by a 1 hour 20 minute examination.

Assessment

The GCSE is linear and therefore all examinations will be taken at the end of the course and there are no tiers of entry. Some questions are compulsory but students will also be given choice for various parts of the examination.

Recommended revision guides / course resources

  • Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History The American West Revision Guide and Workbook
  • Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 Student Book
  • Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Medicine in Britain Revision Guide and Workbook
  • Hodder GCSE History for Edexcel: Medicine through time – c1250-present
  • Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Weimar and Nazi Germany Revision Guide and Workbook
  • Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–1939 Student Book
  • Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Anglo-Saxon and Norman England Revision Guide and Workbook
  • Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–1088 Student Book