Pupils will see how developments from the Norman Conquest to the twenty-first century have helped to shape the society, culture, economy and political structure of modern Britain, and also study the non-European world, including American and African history. Pupils of all ages are introduced to a wide range of stimulus materials and sources of historical evidence – including archive materials, artefacts, exhibits, film and fieldwork.

Pupils in Years 9 can choose to continue History and prepare for GCSE.

Pupils will follow the Edexcel IGCSE 4H10 specification.

History is the study of people living in the past: their characters, their problems and their solutions.  It involves collecting and selecting information from sources; explaining events; and assessing what people have said about past events and people.  Through your studies you will develop the ability to form opinions and make judgements.  History helps us to understand the world in which we now live, providing the pupil with skills which have uses far beyond the narrow field of the subject itself.  History broadens the mind, is the basis for leisure interests and gives a background to the study of other subjects. 

Course content

The course taught is Edexcel International GCSE in history.  Pupils will sit two examinations.

Typically, pupils may study:

Paper 1:

Section A: Germany: development of dictatorship, 1918–45

Section B: A world divided: superpower relations, 1943–72

Paper 2:

Section A: The origins and course of the First World War, 1905–18

Section B: Changes in medicine, c1848–c1948