Handsworth Grammar School

History

Aims of the Department

History fires pupils' curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. Pupils consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like, how these societies organised their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people's actions.

History allows:

  • Pupils develop a chronological framework in which to place their lives
  • Pupils see the diversity of human experience
  • Pupils can understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society
  • Pupils can learn to develop their own choices, attitudes and values - and argue their point of view!

KS3 Course

Year 7

  • Britain 1066-1500
  • Islamic Civilisations

Year 8

  • Britain 1500-1750
  • The French Revolution and Napoleon

Year 9

  • Britain 1750-1900
  • The Era of the Second World War

GCSE Course

AQA Modern World History

Two exams, two pieces of coursework

Core content: Britain in World War I and International Relations 1900-19

Depth studies: Germany 1918-1945 and USA 1918-1941

Coursework Units: based on the World War II: Evacuation in Britain and Hiroshima

A-Level courses

AS Level History

  • Three Exams, 50% of full A-Level
  • Unit 1 - Documentary Study - France in the Reign of Louis XIV
  • Unit 2 - British History - Britain in the time of Peel 1830-1846
  • Unit 3 - World History - The Cold War in Asia and the Americas 1950-1975

A2 Level History

  • Two exams and coursework 50% of full A-Level
  • Unit 4 - Interpretations in History - Chamberlain and Appeasement
  • Unit 5 - Themes in History - From Absolutism to Enlightened Despotism
  • Unit 6 - Independent Investigation (coursework)

Opportunities provided by the department

The Departmental websites provide important links to online resources, guidance for activities and podcasts of vital revision information