History
St Peter's School - Cambridgeshire
01480459581
St Peter's Road, Huntingdon, PE29 7DD
Course summary

The A-level course is made up of 4 main areas, three of which will be examined at the end of year 13 and a coursework unit also covered in year 13. In year 12 students will study topics for Paper 1 and Paper 2 with examinations at the end of the year. These topics will be re-examined along with Paper 3 at the end of Year 13 for the A level. Students will use a variety of methods to investigate these topics, including the use of contemporary sources and historical interpretations. Paper 1 Britain Transformed 1918-97 – Themes include post-war economic challenges, creation of social welfare and development of the NHS, development of education, changing living standards and impact of popular culture, entertainment and leisure. Within this, we will look at the growth of cinema and television and the changing status of women, as well as the impact of immigration. Paper 2 The USA, c1920-55: Boom, bust and recovery- topics include the economic boom of the 1920s, changes in society including the KKK, prohibition and organised crime, the Great Depression, Roosevelt and the New Deal, the impact of WW2 and post-war change including the growth of popular entertainment. Paper 3 The Witch Craze in Britain, Europe and North America c1580-c1750 Topics include the changes in the attitudes towards witchcraft in Britain, looking at the impact of sceptical cases and publications. Students also look at the changing view of Science and the role of people such as Galileo and Locke. There are also five case studies looking at Britain, Germany and the Salem witch trials. Coursework – This is an independent piece of work focusing on historical interpretations of a controversial issue. Students will look at the effect of the Blitz during the Second World War and how historians view this. As part of this, students will visit London in year 12.

Entry requirements

- Students need to have a Grade 5 in History to study A level History. - In order to qualify for the Sixth Form we require all students to have at least 5 grades 4 or equivalent in a range of subjects.

How you'll be assessed

Paper 1: Breadth study with interpretations: 2 hours 15 minute written exam (30% of A-level) Three 20 mark questions with two assessing understanding of the period in breadth, and one which assesses the ability to analyse and evaluate historical interpretations. Paper 2: Depth Study: 1 hour and 30 minutes written exam (20% of A-level). Two 20-mark questions, one assessing source analysis and evaluation skills, and one which assesses the period in depth. At AS level this is an 8-mark, 12-mark and 20-mark paper. Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: 2 hours and 15 minutes written exam (30% of A Level) Three 20 mark questions with one focusing on contemporary source analysis and evaluation, and two which are essay-based questions with one looking at case studies in depth and a breadth question. Coursework: You will complete one question which will assess your ability to carry out a historical enquiry, analyse and evaluate historical interpretations and organise and communicate ideas. Students currently focus on the impact of the Blitz during the Second World War.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionEast of England
Local AuthorityCambridgeshire
Ofsted RatingGood
Gender TypeCo-Educational
AddressSt Peter's Road, Huntingdon, PE29 7DD