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Year 12

Unit One: Tudor England, 1485 – 1509

This unit will cover how Henry VII established the Tudor dynasty starting with the defeat of Richard III. Students will first study how Henry VII consolidated his power through factors such as control of the nobility and the suppressing rebellions. Students will study all aspects of Henry VII’s reign from government to foreign policy, as well as Tudor society as a whole. The focus then shifts to the reign of Henry VIII, from his attempts to increase England’s reputation abroad to his divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

Unit Two: The Cold War 1945 – 1962

This module builds on knowledge obtained at GCSE. It focuses on the start of the cold war and the deteriorating relations between east and west. It focuses on key conflict areas in Europe and Asia, such as Eastern Europe, Germany, Korea, China and Taiwan. Students will also focus on the relationship between President Kennedy and Khrushchev, culminating in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Year 13

Unit One: Tudor England 1485 – 1603

Students will start year 13 looking at the short reigns of Edward I and Mary I. This will focus on the religious change that happened during the two reigns and the problems related to succession to the throne. Students will then look at arguably the most successful Tudor monarch, Elizabeth I. Their study of Elizabeth will look at her domestic and foreign success, in what many historians have described as a ‘Golden age.’

Unit Two: The Cold War 1945 – 1991

Students will start year 13 looking at the impact of the Vietnam War, Sino-Soviet relations and the détente. They will study the impact of individuals like Gorbachev, Thatcher, Pope John Paul II and Reagan on the Cold War. The final part of the module will focus on the collapse of communism and its effects.

Assessment Board: AQA

Assessment of A Level

• Two papers both 2 ½ hours long worth 80% of A-Level Covering year 12 and year 13 topics.
• Historical investigation, 3000 – 3500 words, worth 20% of A-Level (Unit 3)

Many students who do History at A-level use their qualification to do a degree in History or a related subject. Example degree courses which require or accept History A-level include Archaeology, Architecture, Anthropology, Classics, History, History of Art, Law, Philosophy, Politics.

A History related degree is useful for a number of careers, including teaching, librarianship, banking and commerce, the law, publishing, museums and art galleries and a wide variety of social work.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Williams (kwilliams@st-pauls.leicester.sch.uk)