History

• Key Stage 3
  In Form 1 pupils study the Norman Impact on the Medieval World, followed by the Reformation in Europe, Britain and Ireland.  Form 2 begins with the study of European Voyages of Discovery, and this is followed by the study of Europe, Britain and Ireland from 1570 to 1700.  The Form 3 course consists of the study of Ireland and Britain from 1800 to 1921, followed by the study of the First World War.
• GCSE
  Pupils follow the AQA “B” specification.  Coursework assignments on the Blitz on Belfast and the Assassination of John F Kennedy account for 25% of the course.  Four units – Germany 1918-39, USA 1918 – 41, International History 1945-91 and Britain in the Second World War – are studied for the written examination which accounts for 75% of the course.
• AS/A2
  The CCEA History specification is followed.  For the AS examination pupils study Russia, Italy and Germany in the inter-war years.  At A2 they study the Causes of the Second World War, Unionism and Nationalism in Nineteenth Century Ireland, and the Partition of Ireland 1900-1925.

Where possible, visits are organised, for example to Carrickfergus Castle or to the Somme Heritage Centre.  Sixth Form pupils attend lectures organised by the universities or CCEA.  They may be selected to participate in Reading Parties organised by the Villiers Park Trust at Foxton, Cambridge.  Many of our pupils go on to study History at University, including Oxford and Cambridge.