Year 10

Overview - Cold War

Overview - USA 1920-1973

The GCSE course is 100% exam at the end, made up of two papers, each worth 50%. The exam board is AQA and throughout the course students will practice lots of different types of questions, as well as sit practice papers. Students are given the opportunity to purchase the textbook through the school and we will also endeavour to create revision materials (such as NED summary sheets) throughout the course to help them in their learning.

One period study: "America, 1920–1973: Opportunity and Inequality"
This period study focuses on the development of the USA during a turbulent half century of change. It was a period of opportunity and inequality – when some Americans lived the 'American Dream' whilst others grappled with the nightmare of poverty, discrimination and prejudice. Students will study the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of these two developments and the role ideas played in bringing about change. They will also look at the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change and the impact the developments had on them.

One thematic study: "Britain: Health and the People"
This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how medicine and public health developed in Britain over a long period of time. It considers the causes, scale, nature and consequences of short and long term developments, their impact on British society and how they were related to the key features and characteristics of the periods during which they took place.

One wider world depth study: "Conflict and Tension Between East and West, 1945–1972"
This wider world depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of different states and individuals and the ideologies they represented. It focuses on the causes and events of the Cold War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred and why it proved difficult to resolve the tensions which arose during the Cold War. This study also considers the role of key individuals and groups in shaping change and how they were affected by and influenced international relations.

One British depth study including the historical environment: "Elizabethan England, c1568–1603"
This option allows students to study in depth a specified period, the last 35 years of Elizabeth I's reign. The study will focus on major events of Elizabeth I’s reign considered from economic, religious, political, social and cultural standpoints, and arising contemporary and historical controversies.

Students will be examined on a specific site in depth. This site will be as specified and will be changed annually. The site will relate to Elizabethan England. The study of a site should enrich students’ understanding of Elizabethan England.

There is no requirement to visit the specified site which for exams in 2018 is Harwick Hall, 2019 is The Globe Theatre and 2020 is The defeat of the Spanish Armada in the English Channel.

We also offer a trip to Berlin in the Summer Term to help support our Cold War unit.