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Rivington & Blackrod High School

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GCSE History

Course contact: Mr C Andrew - candrew@rbhs.co.uk

Specification: GCSE

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Course Outline

Students of GCSE History will gain both a broad overview of historical change, as well as a deeper understanding of key historical turning points:

  • Unit 1: Medicine in Britain, c1250 – present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18: injuries, treatment and the trenches
  • Unit 2: Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 and Superpower Relations and the Cold War 1941 to 1991
  • Unit 3: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39

What will I study?

The Medicine Through Time topic involves understanding trends and turning points within the period in terms of the prevention, cause and treatment of disease. It allows students to see how, as life changed and developed, and the way we approach medicine and our own health. It also features an in depth investigation into the trenches of the First World War and how medicine developed during a time of international conflict.

The Early Elizabethan England topic is an exciting journey through this age of exploration and religious change. Students will have the opportunity to investigate the character of Elizabeth and evaluate the nature of her reign, as well as seeing how our modern nation has been shaped.

The Weimar and Nazi Germany topic takes a comprehensive view of Germany from the end of the First World War to the outbreak of the Second World War. It shows us how the Weimar Republic responded to the challenges it faced and how these then contributed to the rise of the Nazi Party, allowing students to evaluate how it was able to succeed and with what effects.

Finally, the Superpower Relations and Cold War topic gives students a deeper understanding of the modern world through a study of the tensions of the 20th century and how close we came to nuclear war in the 1960s. It also allows students to better understand the current world superpowers by looking at their changing relationship since World War Two, building on the understanding students gained when studying Weimar and Nazi Germany.

How will I be assessed?

History is 100% exam based, with all papers taken at the end of Year 11. The skills assessed vary from longer, written essays to the analysis of sources and interpretations, looking at key skills such as inference, utility and following up on a source.

What could I do afterwards?

Students can go on to study A-level History at RBHS, and our students have used their A-level in History to go on to study Law, Classical Civilisations, History, Politics and Philosophy at degree level.

Many History students go into professions such as law, journalism, management, museum work and teaching.

The A-level demonstrates that the student is analytical and highly literate, qualities valued highly by various employers and academic institutions.

rbhs year 9 options booklet print outlined 22.pdf

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