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WelcomeA 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 engagelearners of all ages whether at school, college, in work and part time training

programmes so they achieve their full potential

make a difference

Practical Accessible Innovative 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 AThe ‘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 1095-1609 or Modern

1815-1945

Teaching units and Assessment

method and weighting

F961 British History Period StudiesLearners enter for one of two

components: Medieval and Early Modern 1035-1642, or Modern 1783-1994. 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

1073-1546 or Modern 1774-1975. 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 EnquiriesLearners entered for one of two components:

Medieval and Early Modern 1066-1660 or Modern 1815-1945. 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

1073-1546 or Modern 1774-1975. 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 EnquiriesLearners entered for one of two components:

Medieval and Early Modern 1066-1660 or Modern 1815-1945. 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 orF982 Historical Explanation – Non-

British HistoryLearners will explore the theory and

practice of explanation – of ideas, actions and events – located in topics spanning 20-

40 years (British and non-British options available)

Options include: The End of the Consensus: Britain 1945-90; Russia in Turmoil 1900-

1921

History B | AS Structure

Teaching units and Assessment

method and weighting F983 Using Historical Evidence – British

History orF984 Using Historical Evidence – Non-

British HistoryThis 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 - www.ocr.org.uk/training

• Bookmark website for further information/future updates – www.ocr.org.uk

Other qualifications•GCSE History

(Modern World)•GCSE History Schools

History Project•A Level Critical Thinking