History

Course summary

Why study History at William Farr? A level History isn’t just about studying the past — it’s about uncovering the stories, struggles, and choices that shaped our world, helping you see how human experience connects across time. At William Farr, History is taught by experienced teachers, including staff with exam board expertise. Lessons are engaging and results consistently excellent, supported by caring staff who go the extra mile. This subject is exceptionally popular at William Farr because of the quality teaching. Beyond the classroom, students enjoy unique opportunities such as a trip to Washington DC, participation in the Great Debate public speaking competition, lectures at Lincoln University, and ambassador roles supporting younger learners through the Year 7 History Club and Year 11 revision sessions. What will you study? A level History at William Farr invites students to explore human behaviour, motives, and the consequences of actions through three transformative periods. The first examined unit focuses on Tudor England, uncovering how Henry VII’s paranoia shaped a climate of fear, Henry VIII’s personal struggles influenced national politics, and Elizabeth I’s refusal to marry raised questions about monarchy and succession. The second examined unit investigates the Russian Revolutions of 1917, analysing how Lenin and Trotsky seized power, the consolidation of communist rule, and Stalin’s dual legacy as both ruthless dictator—responsible for mass repression in the Gulags—and patriotic leader during the Second World War. The third unit, the non-examined assessment, examines the development of African American civil rights in the USA. Students trace the journey from the abolition of slavery in 1863 to the civil rights movement of the twentieth century, considering the successes and failures of the American political system in securing rights for Black Americans. This unit also highlights the influence of key figures such as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., encouraging students to evaluate how leadership, activism, and government shaped the struggle for equality. Together, these topics provide a rich and varied exploration of history, combining political intrigue, revolution, and social justice.