History
Staff​
Head of Department
Mrs Emma Irvine
Subject Teachers
Mrs Naomi Beeson
Mr Brendan Rasdale
Mrs Gráinne Hanratty
GCSE
Subject Introduction
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The study of history is about more than simply memorising dates and the deeds of famous figures. History is a chronicle of human behaviour - a real-life drama full of villains and heroes, the mighty and the meek. It examines the circumstances that moved its players to transform people and places (for better and for worse), and it holds the answers to how and why our lives are fashioned they way they are today.
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Students study and evaluate systems of government and learn how the actions of government impact on individuals, groups and society as a whole. They explore the values, attitudes, perceptions and ideologies that have shaped human behaviour, endeavour and achievement in the past. They also study how men and women in the past have interacted with their environments and how the environment has contributed to and shaped historical events.
Assessment
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Students complete five studies which are assessed in three external examinations for GCSE History.
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Component 1 examination covers both the Thematic Study, Crime and Punishment, c. 1250 to present and a British Depth Study, Britain in Peace and War, 1900-1918.
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Component 2 examination covers History Around us on Enniskillen Castle.
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Component 3 examination covers both a Period Study, Viking Expansion, c.750 to c.1050 and a World Depth Study, Living Under Na*i Rule, 1933-1945.
Link to Specification: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/207164-specification-accredited-gcse-history-b-j411.pdf
A Level
Subject Introduction
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GCE History specification develops advanced understanding of how the world became what it is today. It equips students with transferable and written skills, including critical thinking, analysis and debate.
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Historians appreciate events and their consequences, helping us understand the past and the present.
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Assessment
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This specification is available at two levels: AS and A2. Students can take the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification. They can also choose to take the AS course as a stand-alone qualification.
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The specification has four units:
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Unit AS 1: Historical Investigations and Interpretations
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Germany 1919–45
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Unit AS 2: Historical Conflict and Change
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Russia 1914–41
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Unit A2 1: Change Over Time
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Ireland Under the Union 1800–1900
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Unit A2 2: Historical Investigations and Interpretations
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Partition of Ireland 1900–25.
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Career Note
​The subject is highly rated by employers because it demands intellectual rigour. History students are trained to deal with large amounts of evidence and information and to develop analytical minds. These are very useful skills in a range of careers, for example, teaching, law, journalism and the social sciences.