History
Course Information
| Literacy |  |
|---|---|
| Numeracy |
|
| Communications | |
| Creativity |  |
| Practical | |
| Group Work |  |
| Examination Assessment | 100% |
| Non-Examination Assessment | 0% |
| EBacc | Yes |
| Examination Board | OCR |
| Course | GCSE |
General Information
Video Transcript
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The Swanmore History Department believe and live by the motto, history is very much alive.
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By studying history GCSE, you are understanding the past, which is key to understanding the present, keeping you informed on current events as they unfold, as well as helping you to appreciate multiple perspectives and interpretations.
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Studying a History GCSE also allows you to strengthen your critical thinking skills and gather evidence and train you to find patterns and trends in a world of fake news.
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You can also apply the information from the past to analyse and solve problems in the present and gives you an understanding of other people and cultures around the world.
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It challenges us to think outside the box and to be creative.
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Studying history gives you the most options for university courses.
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This has been quoted by the Russell Group.
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Studying history at GCSE closes no doors in your post 16 options.
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And besides all, studying history is just plain fun.
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So as I said previously, at Swanmore we study the OCRB history specification.
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Within this there are five modules.
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So if you opt to do a history GCSE, we start year 10 with Making of Modern Day America.
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looking at gold rush, the rise and fall of slavery, moving into living under Nazi rule, how Hitler became a dictator in 1934, what life was like in Nazi Germany, looking at the war policies in the World War II, ending with the Holocaust.
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And finally, to conclude our Year 10 studies, our local study of history around us, looking at Porchester Castle, one of the best preserved Roman-Saxon shore forts in the Northern Hemisphere.
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In year 11, we move on to the Norman Conquest, looking at the Battle of Hastings and how William the Conqueror consolidated control and finalising the course with the People's Health course, looking at living conditions, epidemics and improvements to health over time.
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Hands, face, space, get a test, self-isolate if you have symptoms.
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Thanks very much.
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He and his son have been arrested.
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In fact, the person in that picture right there, he admitted to the FBI that he brought his Confederate flag from his Delaware home where he usually displays it.
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So these...
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I brought Hussein Obama to solemnly swear that I...
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Will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully.
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One thing is certain, the Red Army will continue.
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So, within the History GCSE of OCRB specification, there are three papers.
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The first paper, paper one, is the History Around Us course, is an hour long with two essay questions, 50 marks in total.
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This paper also includes 10 marks which are SPAG related, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
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Paper 2 is our British paper, one hour 45 minutes long with the Norman Conquest and the People's Health, partly
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essay based as well as source based.
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And then the world paper is our final paper looking at the Nazis and modern day America.
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Again, 50% is source based.
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The other percent at 50% is essay based.
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Here is an example of a 18 mark question.
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This would be with the expectation in all papers.
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A child and pupil will be expected to write for 25 minutes.
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The longest essay question is expecting a child to write 4 paragraphs and a conclusion.
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This is in every single paper, so the students need to be aware that they will be expected to decode questions, be able to analyse and filter through their information for what they should be able to write.
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There are no prompts for this question to help them and also be confident in their writing and literacy ability.
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So, skills needed.
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You need to be an independent thinker.
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You need to be thinking and being able to talk in class discussions.
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Have a literacy age of 13 and above.
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The reading paper is often 17 and above.
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Being able to evaluate and analyse sources, but like I have just said, be confident in your writing and literacy skills to succeed in the GCSE.
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And as we said with the Russell Group, studying a history GCSE closes no doors.
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There are so many opportunities and occupations available to you following studying history.
History is a highly valued subject that not only deepens understanding of the past but also develops transferable skills relevant to careers such as journalism, law, teaching, the police, and research.
It is one of the most sought-after subjects by Russell Group universities. In an age of information overload, History uniquely trains pupils to select, evaluate, analyse, and draw conclusions from evidence, as well as to consider different perspectives and assess the reliability of sources. Closely linked to other GCSE subjects, it helps pupils understand how past events shape the present, providing both context and insight into the world today.
What will I need to succeed?
- Most important is a genuine interest in the past and the enthusiasm to find out more.
- An inquisitive mind, an ability to question information and your own opinion!
- A willingness and enjoyment in producing clear and extended written responses.
- Pupils who enjoy reading typically do very well. We advise that pupils have a reading age of 13 to take History GCSE.
- It is recommended that you attain a mastery scale of meeting or above throughout Year 9.
Course Offered
OCR GCSE History B Schools History Project J411
Subject Content
The History GCSE will consist of three elements to the course, designed to give differing perspectives on the study of history.
The GCSE will consist of three papers:
Paper 1 covering two topics: 1 hour and 45 minutes
A Thematic Study – The People’s Health, C1250 to present
A British Depth Study – The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087
Paper 2 covering two topics: 1 hour and 45 minutes
A Period Study – The Making of America, 1789-1900
A World Depth Study – Living under Nazi Rule, 1933-1945
Paper 3: 1 hour
History Around Us – A local study based on a site investigation of Portchester Castle.
Assessment Requirements
100% examination. Paper 1 and Paper 2 each awarded 40% of the total GCSE mark, Paper 3 will be awarded 20% of the total GCSE mark.
Exam Question
Each paper has an 18-mark question included; this is worth 45% of the marks on each paper. This question requires pupils to write an essay of 4 PEE paragraphs for 25 minutes.
For example, “Religious persecution was the main reason for migration Westwards in the years, 1838-1860”. How far do you agree with this statement?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I take History and Geography?
Yes. - Is there much writing in GCSE History?
Yes, each exam paper has an essay included that requires 25 minutes of writing. There are also 2 smaller essay questions included in the same paper. - What other subjects complement History?
Sociology, Religious Education
What careers it can lead to after leaving Swanmore College
Both local colleges (Barton Peveril and Peter Symonds) offer a History A Level. At A Level the variety of modules offered, significantly increases with options to study the Crusades, Henry II, the Tudors, the French Revolution, and 20th Century Germany, China and USSR.
The most important thing about studying History is that it can open up a multitude of career options for you. Many of our Prime Ministers have studied History, but it can also lead to careers in media, heritage organisations, conservation, teaching, archives, museums and galleries, the police and law.