History

Exam Board & Specification: AQA A-Level History

Subject Lead:

Mr A Harney

What will students study at Key Stage 5?

Year 12: Students tackle one breadth and one depth study (periods per Course Guide), honing source use and interpretations, while drafting their independent coursework title and plan.

Year 13: Students complete coursework (analysis of interpretations over time) and prepare synoptic essays that connect causes, change/continuity and significance across units.

What do assessments test?

• AO1: Knowledge/understanding of historical concepts and periods
• AO2: Explanation/analysis of cause, consequence, change & continuity
• AO3: Analysis/evaluation of source material
• AO4: Analysis/evaluation of historical interpretations

What are the expectations of my child in this subject?

Attend all lessons, meet deadlines, keep high‑quality notes, and use independent study effectively (at least the Sixth Form expectation per subject). Build habits of spaced retrieval, interleaved practice and regular past‑paper work.

What should my child do if they feel they are struggling in this subject?

Speak to the subject teacher promptly, identify precise topic/skill gaps, attend clinics/interventions, and use targeted resources (examiner reports, model answers, required practical write‑ups or assignment checklists).

How can I best support my child in this subject?

Have short, frequent check‑ins on progress; help plan assessment timelines; encourage retrieval practice and timed responses; and ensure use of department‑recommended texts, platforms and mark schemes.