Year 9
Students study British, European and world history from 1700 to the end of the 19th century. Topics covered include:
- Britain at the start of the 18th century;
- Life in Gin Age London;
- Smuggling;
- The Slave Trade;
- A comparison between village and town life;
- Crime and Punishment in 18th century Britain and an in depth study of the career of a famous criminal;
- The French Revolution;
- The growth of the British Empire;
- An investigation of what it was like to fight and work in Nelson’s Navy and participate in the Battle of Trafalgar;
- Life as a British Soldier and the Battle of Waterloo; the Zulu wars; a local study:
- The Jacobites and the Battle of Culloden.
As part of this topic students re-enact part of Bonnie Prince Charlie‘s invasion of 1745 and visit Culloden battlefield with an 18th century guide! They also tour Fort George and witness the medical treatment given to injured and dying soldiers. Emphasis in the teaching is placed upon the development of the historical skills required for GCSE History courses and on stimulating an interest in the subject. History is taught using a varied range of techniques including a regular use of video, multimedia titles and presentation graphics.
Years 10 & 11
History: Modern World Syllabus B [OCR] : J417A
Gordonstoun follows the OCR and GCSE Syllabus B. This is a two-year course dealing with the modern world.
In year 10 the course begins with a detailed study of the compulsory British History Depth Study. Students will investigate how British society changed between 1890 and 1918. This will involve a study of the working and living conditions of the poor in the 1890s and aims to show students how workers' lives have changed by 1918. An investigation of the social, political and legal position of women in the 1890s will be followed by a study of the arguments for and against votes for women, the effectiveness of the activities of the suffragists and suffragettes and women's contribution to the war effort. Finally the Depth Study ends with a look at how civilians were affected by World War One. Topics examined include trench warfare; the use of gas and tanks; the war in the air; shell shock, injuries, mutinies, conscientious objectors; the war poets and the use of the white feather and the effectiveness of British propaganda on the British people.
Students continue the course with an investigation of Apsects of International Relations 1919-1939. They will begin by studying the Versailles Peace Treaty and will consider whether it was fair to all concerned. They will then investigate how far one can consider the League of Nations successful. This part of the syllabus ends with a study of the causes of World War II including an investigation of Hitler's foreign policy and Japanese aggression in the Far East.
In the Summer Term of Year 10 we will begin to study the Modern World Study: Germany 1918-1945. This involves looking at Hitler's rise to power; life in the Third Reich for women, farmers, the middle class and young people; the Hitler Youth and the Swing Kids; the SA, the Night of the Long Knives and the SS and the creation of the police state; Jewish policy; education and propaganda; economic policy and opposition and the 1944 bomb plot to assassinate Hitler.
Finally students take a Controlled Assessment task based on a taught course from one of the following: the role of the individual in history, a thematic study in twentieth century history; a modern world study or a study in depth. Candidates complete one task. This unit will represent 25% of the total marks available and replaces the previous coursework component. It should be possible for candidates to satisfy the requirement of the board by writing no more than 2000 words for the task. The course will be taught and will include the diferent interpretations historians and contemporaries have on the subject. This will enable students to form their own opinions and conclusions on these events. The examination board will issue new tasks each year. Candidates could tackle issues such as 'Why did the Cold War develop after the Second World War?'; 'Why has international terrorism become such an important issue in the last two decades?' or 'Why has the nature of warfare changed so much during the period studied?'
The two year course is taught using a varied range of techniques including a regular use of video, multimedia titles and presentation graphics.
Candidates must attempt two examination papers (75% of the final mark) and produce one coursework assignment (Controlled Assessment task) worth 25%. The coursework is completed in Year 11. Paper One is a two hour written paper on 'Aspects of International Relations' and Germany 1918-1945 and is worth 45%. Paper Two is one hour 30 minutes long and is based on the British Depth study. The latter is worth 30% of the total marks and is a source analysis examination. The final grading of the papers does not involve taking either a Higher or Foundation paper. All students sit the same papers and receive a grade, ranging from A* to G.
Sixth Form
History [OCR]: 3835; 7835
The aim of the course is to prepare students for the Oxford and Cambridge A-level General Certificate of Education in history. The syllabus is designed to develop students' interest in historical events, their critical and writing skills and a wide knowledge of 19th and 20th century issues. Students will study a range of topics chosen from:
- English history 1789-1918
- European History 1789-1939
- The Third Reich 1933-39
- British foreign and imperial policies 1846-1902
- the relationship between Britain and Germany 1933-39
- international relations between Britain, Germany, Italy, the USSR, Japan and the USA 1919-1939
- the development of warfare 1789-1918
Candidates will sit examinations in all these topics but have the option either to complete a 2,500 coursework thesis, chosen from a list compiled by the examination board, or to sit an examination on the topic chosen by themselves.
Candidates should normally have passed the GCSE or Standard grade History examination or equivalent.
This is a modular course with examinations in January, May and June and at the end of the two years. This A-level is a valuable qualifying subject for a range of university courses such as history, law, journalism, PPE, politics, business studies, archaeology and classics.