History

Course summary

Our A level course includes an exciting mix of four topics diverse in both their chronological range and their geographical focus. We study sixteenth century England, exploring the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Our thematic study is on the government of Russia, which we trace from the reign of ‘Czar-Liberator’ Alexander II through to Nikita Khrushchev. Considering the impact of revolutions, wars and ideologies, as well as some of the more memorable characters in nineteenth and twentieth-century history, we trace continuity, change and development in the reigns of the last three Czars of All the Russias, and the first three Communist dictators of that country. We complement this by reaching back to the twelfth century for a unit on the Crusades; and pupils also research an extended essay of 3- 4000 words on a topic of their own choice, drawing on both primary and secondary source material.