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History

at Balcarras School, Cheltenham · school or sixth form

Ofsted rated their sixth form provisionOutstanding2025see the detail

Level 3A levelsGCE A level24 monthsFull time£1

What the college says

A-level history is a diverse course which allows students to study both British and world history. Small parts of our studies should be familiar to students from GCSE but there is plenty of new material to get stuck into! Unit 1 focuses on British history in the 18th and 19th century and looks at the great social, political and economic changes of that time period. Britain went through a massive transformation that led to it being the most powerful country in the world. Our course seeks to explore those changes in detail over the course of a 100-year period. In Unit 2 we turn our attention to a depth study in American history. The USA often boasts that it is the “land of the free”; however there has been a long history of prejudice and discrimination. Our study looks at the developments under several Presidents in the second half of the 20th century. Finally Unit 3 involves an independent investigation that consists of a 3,000-4,000 word essay which looks at a historical question in the context of a 100-year period. This is an exciting new development in A-level history and gives plenty of opportunity for independent research and original thinking. The investigation element will allow students to pick a topic from a range of options in the second year.

What you need to get on

The minimum requirement for entry to the sixth form is 2 grade 6s and 3 grade 5s in full GCSE courses. These must include a grade 5 or above in both mathematics and English language or literature. It is expected that A-level students will have achieved a grade 6 in history or better at GCSE level. Students who have not studied GCSE history before are also welcome but we would expect them to have achieved a grade 6 in English.

How you are assessed

Academic subjects, mostly exams, three or four at once. The traditional route to university.

What this level means

The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.

Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?

Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.

Where it runs

  • BALCARRAS SCHOOL CHELTENHAM

    EAST END ROAD, CHELTENHAM, GL53 8QF

    DaytimeClassroom based
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