Garth Hill College - KS4 Options Handbook 2024 - Flipbook - Page 24
History GCSE
Subject Leader: Mr S Harris
Board: AQA
Course Outline
Pupils will follow the GCSE AQA specification. The course is examined by two closed examinations to be sat
at the end of Year 11. In summary the course includes:
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
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Section A – Period study: Germany, 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship.
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Section B – Wider world depth study: Conflict and Tension in Asia, 1950-1975.
Written examination: 2 hours and worth 50% of the qualification.
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Section A – Six compulsory questions (40 marks)
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Section B – Four compulsory questions (40 marks)
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Plus 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation
Section A – Thematic study: Britain: Health and the People: c1000 to the present day
Section B – British depth study including the historic environment: Elizabethan England, c1568-1603
Written examination: 2 hours and worth 50% of the qualification.
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Section A – Four compulsory questions (40 marks)
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Section B – Four compulsory questions (40 marks)
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Plus 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar
Please note there is no coursework component to this course. The final GCSE result awarded for the
qualification is based on performance in TWO closed examinations in the Summer Term of Year 11.
Resources to support studies:
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http//www.aqa.com
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/
Home learning
Home learning will be set at least once a fortnight, typically spending at least 40 minutes per task.
History is suitable for those pupils who:
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Have an opinion, enjoy debate and can make supported arguments
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Enjoy finding out about how the past has shaped the world that we live in
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Are fascinated by people and their actions
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Want to investigate how history helps us change the world for the better.
Future Pathways
For many jobs it is a real help if you have studied History. The subject covers a range of skills, requiring you
to be analytical, thoughtful and communicative. The subject also teaches you to evaluate and draw
conclusions based on factual evidence. History graduates are employable in sorts of work not just history,
with careers in finance, law, communications and service industries. The subject is a facilitating one at A
Level and is well respected by all further education establishments, particularly Russell Group Universities.
KEY STAGE 4 OPTIONS
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