Make a difference Welcome A Level History

Make a difference A Level History Contents Introduction to OCR Introduction to History Why change to our specification? Support and training Next steps

About OCR Part of Europe’s largest assessment agency, Cambridge Assessment UK’s leading awarding body Over 13,000 centres choose our qualifications Qualifications are developed in consultation with teachers

Our Mission Our commitment is to provide qualifications which engage learners of all ages whether at school, college, in work and part time training programmes so they achieve their full potential make a difference PracticalAccessibleInnovative and exciting

Our Credentials Leading the way with new ideas Dedicated to offering respected qualifications Engaging and relevant qualifications Comprehensive support framework

Choices in A Level History We offer two distinct specifications for A Level History History A The ‘new’ History B

A Level History A

History A Credentials Redeveloped in consultation with a cross section of teachers The new specification has been developed to maintain the ethos and strengths of the original specification, but in a new four-unit format Reduces the volume of assessment for teachers and learners alike Maintains the already proven depth and breadth of content

Key points of the specification Opportunity to specialise in selected historical periods Flexibility to match the topics to your interests, expertise and resource Learners can develop and practice the skills of a historian Ancient and contemporary issues Comprehensive coursework topic list

History A | AS Structure F962 European and World History Period Studies Learners enter for one of two European and World History components: Medieval and Early Modern or Modern Teaching units and Assessment method and weighting F961 British History Period Studies Learners enter for one of two components: Medieval and Early Modern , or Modern A wide range of study topics is available, from the Anglo-Saxons up to Post-War Britain

History A | AS Structure F964 European and World History Enquiries Learners enter for one of two European and World History components: Medieval and Early Modern or Modern This is a document studies unit where learners are presented with 4 to 5 sources in the exam. Learners should have knowledge of the prescribed topic and an acquaintance with the kinds of sources available for the topic. Teaching units and Assessment method and weighting F963 British History Enquiries Learners entered for one of two components: Medieval and Early Modern or Modern This is a document studies unit where learners are presented with 4 to 5 sources in the exam. Learners should have knowledge of the prescribed topic and acquaintance with the kinds of sources available for the topic.

History A | A2 Structure F964 European and World History Enquiries Learners enter for one of two European and World History components: Medieval and Early Modern or Modern This is a document studies unit where learners are presented with 4 to 5 sources in the exam. Learners should have knowledge of the prescribed topic and an acquaintance with the kinds of sources available for the topic. Teaching units and Assessment method and weighting F963 British History Enquiries Learners entered for one of two components: Medieval and Early Modern or Modern This is a document studies unit where learners are presented with 4 to 5 sources in the exam. Learners should have knowledge of the prescribed topic and acquaintance with the kinds of sources available for the topic.

Stretch and Challenge Stretch and Challenge is a new QCA initiative for A Levels: Included in A2 assessment Reflected in the style of question asked which invite a greater variety of thinking Questions are structured to show more connections between different sections of the specification Extended writing is encouraged in all subjects (except Maths0 A wider range of question types – like case studies and open ended questions More synoptic assessments – exploring connections between different areas and levels of a subject

A Level History B

History B Credentials We are the only awarding body to offer this innovative specification Redeveloped in consultation with a cross section of teachers and the Historical Association Developed to follow on from the GCSE Schools History Project

Key points of the specification Exciting and innovative study topics The new specification has been developed to maintain the ethos and strengths of the original specification, but in a new four-unit format Reduces the volume of assessment for teachers and learners alike Maintains the already proven depth and breadth of content

History B | AS Structure Teaching units and Assessment method and weighting F981 Historical Explanation – British History or F982 Historical Explanation – Non- British History Learners will explore the theory and practice of explanation – of ideas, actions and events – located in topics spanning years (British and non-British options available) Options include: The End of the Consensus: Britain ; Russia in Turmoil

History B | AS Structure Teaching units and Assessment method and weighting F983 Using Historical Evidence – British History or F984 Using Historical Evidence – Non- British History This unit considers the theory and use of evidence. Learners will for example, consider the distinction between historical sources and historical evidence, and between primary and secondary sources. They will cover the wide range of different types of historical sources – for example, written, pictorial and statistical – and the different issues they raise as well as the different uses they have.

History B | A2 Structure Teaching units and Assessment method and weighting F985 Historical Controversies – British History or F986 Historical Controversies – Non-British History Building on earlier units, learners will study how and why historians disagree about the past – exploring how different methodologies lead to different interpretations. They will consider different approaches to their chosen topics. F987 Historical Significance In this final unit, learners will examine the vocabulary of significance. They will prepare a Personal Study )of up to 3,000 words) backed by a Research Diary to demonstrate their understanding and research methods.

What’s in it for you? Easy to administer Rewarding to deliver Flexibility in teaching topics top match your interests

What’s in it for your learners? Enjoyable and motivational Improving performance through passion and a new approach Stretch and challenge opportunities

What’s in it for your school? More student enrolments Flexibility in curriculum planning and delivery Good progression routes into HE/FE

Support Overarching scheme of work and sample lesson plans E-community Exemplar candidate work Coursework guidance documents Past papers on line for you to download Exam quest INSET

Publishers We are working with publisher partner Heinemann to provide further resources to support these specifications. The student books and teacher resources are specifically tailored to the new specification.

Next Steps Book training/events - Bookmark website for further information/future updates –

Other qualifications GCSE History (Modern World) GCSE History Schools History Project A Level Critical Thinking