History

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. – Marcus Garvey 

We live in a dramatically changing world and the opportunity that the study of History provides to ground our understanding of the present in the context of the past, and thus to reach a more profound understanding of contemporary issues, is more important than ever. The A Level History course is designed both to engage and excite through the choice of material to be studied and also to encourage contemplation over issues that are immediate to us today. 

Students study three units for the linear History A Level. All students study the same topics.

1. “A “breadth study” covering the history of the British Empire from c. 1857-1967. This allows pupils to consider the motivating forces behind British imperialism, the impact of imperialism from the perspective both of the British and those they governed and, finally, the story of decolonisation after 1945. 
2. A “depth study” of American History from 1945-1980- “The American Dream: reality and illusion, 1945–1980”. This covers hugely interesting and meaningful topics such as the struggle for Civil Rights, the impact of the Vietnam War and the effects of Watergate. 
3. A piece of guided coursework, a student-researched 4,500 word essay. Students will choose their title from a wide range of topics.

These topics have been deliberately chosen to appeal to, and matter to, our students. The British Empire topic has never been more relevant to the present day, given the current Black Lives Matter situation and the debate over the Empire that this has created, whilst the issues surrounding Civil Rights in the USA are of universal significance. In addition to this, the American topic fits in well with the US section of the Politics A Level. 

Outside of the syllabus, the department offers regular and structured preparation for the EPQ and Oxbridge entry. There is also a popular, pupil-directed Senior Historical Society, now known as the Coundley Historical Society, which meets every fortnight to hear presentations given both by members of the Sixth Form and external speakers.