History

What is the exam board and route? 

A Level History AQA (1K and 2B) 

Subject Entry Requirements: No entry requirements – we are open to all who are enthusiastic and committed. There is no need to have studied GCSE History.

Subject outline 

History is a subject for the intellectually curious and will remain a passion for life. Three exciting topics will be covered over the two years: 

The Wars of the Roses 1450-1499 

This option provides for the study in depth of a period in which the English monarchy suffered instability and the country was subjected to a range of political, economic and social pressures. It develops concepts such as authority, hierarchy, faction and legitimacy. It also encourages students to reflect on the sources of power within a state, causes of political breakdown and the impact of dynastic instability on the ‘common people’ 

The making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975 

This option allows students to study in breadth issues of change, continuity, cause and consequence in this period through the following key questions: 

• How did government, political authority and political parties change and develop? 

• In what ways did the economy and society of the USA change and develop? 

• How did the role of the USA in world affairs change? 

• How important were ideas and ideology? 

• How united was the USA during this period? 

• How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by developments? 

The Italian Renaissance (Non-Examined Assessment) 

How is the course assessed? 

Two exams, each 2 hours 30 minutes long comprising a source or extracts section and two essays, plus a 4500 word Non-Examined Assessment. 

Why study this subject? 

History is not only intrinsically interesting and fun, it is also an enabling subject that develops transferable real-world skills. Key amongst these is critical thinking – the ability to effectively analyse information and form a judgment based on evidence. When thinking critically, you are aware of your own biases and assumptions and use this awareness to be objective, and to filter out irrelevance and misinformation. This is vital in any workplace and in wider life. You will develop critical thinking as your skills in source analysis and persuasive writing become more sophisticated during the A Level course. 

History is a top university destination subject at the Grammar School. In recent years, our boys have gone on to study History at universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Kings, Manchester, Warwick, Nottingham, and Leeds, or have used their History A Level as the key foundation for studying Law at Cambridge, LSE, Nottingham, and Warwick.  

Each year, over half of our boys typically achieve an A* or A, and over three-quarters a B or above, despite having no minimum entry requirement. For the vast majority of our candidates, History is their best or joint best A Level result. 

Complementary subjects 

Politics, English, Economics, Religious Studies, Geography, Classics, Sociology. 

Possible careers 

Typical careers for historians include Law, Broadcasting, the Civil Service, Politics, Research, Finance, the Armed Forces, Marketing, Academia, and Education. 

History can give you the skills to support virtually any career. Our Firefly careers page highlights the paths taken by History graduates as diverse as Joe Biden, Salman Rushdie, Steve Carell, and Shakira, to name but  
a few. 

Subject enrichment available 

• Senior History Society 

• Writing and editing the award-winning 1495 magazine 

• Oxbridge and university preparation 

• Historical Association Great Debate 

• National and international essay prizes 

• Exam-preparation and NEA seminars 

• The Tours of the Roses trip (Yorkshire) 

• The Renaissance trip (London or Florence) 

• Exclusive access to the History Library and IT suite 

• History Prefect leadership roles 

“As to exercise for the mind, the prince ought to read history…” 
Niccolò Machiavelli