History and Government and Politics

Head of Department: Alan Scadding. Email: A-Scadding@epsomcollege.org.uk

History is offered at all levels throughout the school and Government and Politics may be studied at AS and A2.

The GCSE History course (OCR) concentrates on 20th Century World History. At AS and A2 Historians study a wide range of English and European History either from the 16th and 17th centuries or from the 18th century through to the 20th and have the opportunity to pursue individual enthusiasms in depth in their coursework investigation.

Government and Politics students follow the Edexcel course, which explores British and US politics and society.

The Department has attractive modern classrooms in the Mackinder Building where students benefit from exceptionally well resourced IT and research facilities. There are thriving History and Politics societies and students enjoy a varied programme of lectures, conferences and visits to Parliament.

Follow the links below to learn more about History and Government and Politics at Epsom College.

 

History Courses

Middle Fourth (Year 9). All pupils:

  • A general overview of aspects of 20th Century History including World Wars.
  • A project competition in the Lent and Summer terms gives an opportunity for research and extended writing.
  • A study visit to the First World War Battlefields in the Summer half-term gives an opportunity to look at different types of evidence and for reflection.

To GCSE (Years 9 and 10). About 100 pupils:

To AS Level: About 50 pupils:

Specification: http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-2040-W-SP-10.pdf

There is a choice between Early Modern or Late Modern options within the AQA A Level course. For organisational reasons, it is necessary to opt at the beginning of the course for one or the other.

  • The Early Modern course to AS consists of two papers:
  • HIS1E: Absolutist States: The Reign of Louis XIV 1661-1715
  • HIS2B: The Church in England: The Struggle for Supremacy 1529-1547
  • The Late Modern course to AS consists of two papers:
  • § HIS1F: France in Revolution, 1774-1815
  • § HIS2F: Challenging British Dominance: the Loss of the American Colonies, 1754-1783

To A2 Level: About 40 pupils:

Specification: http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-2040-W-SP-10.pdf

Very much the same groups go on to study their Early or Late Modern option to A2.

  • The Early Modern course to A2 consists of one examined paper and coursework:
  • HIS3B: The Triumph of Elizabeth: Britain 1547-1603
  • HIS4X: Witchcraft
  • The Late Modern course also consists of one examined paper and coursework:
  • HIS3N: Aspects of International Relations, 1945-2004
  • HIS4X: Russia and the Soviet Union 1840-1960

Government and Politics Courses

To AS Level: About 30 pupils:

Specification: http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCE%20New%20GCE/UA024845%20GCE%20Government%20and%20Politics%20Issue3%20210510.pdf

  • 6GP01: Unit Test 1: People and Politics
  • 6GP02: Unit Test 2: Governing the UK

To A2 Level: About 30 pupils:

  • 6GP03: Unit 3, Topic C: Representative Processes in the USA - Key Themes in Political Analysis
  • 6GP04: Unit 4, Topic C: Governing the USA: Extended Themes in Political Analysis

Department Staff

Head of Department

Alan Scadding, B.A, P.G.C.E.

 

Department Teaching Staff

Charles Conway, MA, PGCE

Andy Bustard, B.A, P.G.C.E.

Kirsty Tod, B.A, P.G.C.E.

Dr MurrayTod, MA, PhD, FSA (Scot)

Kathryn Butler, B.A, P.G.C.E.

Richard Willis, M.A, P.G.C.E.

Ben Jerrit, B.A, P.G.C.E.

Dr H R Meier, B.A, M.Sc, D.Phil.

Facilities

We are situated in the Mackinder block, built in 1999 and offering five excellent, modern classrooms, each with wireless networking, digital video streaming, etc. Most have air conditioning and electronic whiteboards. These provide a pleasant working environment for formal lessons, group work or drama and debates.

There is a Department Library for supplementary reading, magazines, small groups and societies.

We have ready access to photocopying, a set of 16 laptop computers (to be used in addition to the four desktops in each room) and access to five IT rooms and the College Library.

Study Visits

In Year 9:

We have a long tradition of taking 46 pupils to the First World War Battlefields each summer half-term. We visit the Ypres Salient, the sites of the battles on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Notre Dame de Lorette. We witness the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate at Ypres, the 'In Flanders Fields' museum and St. George's Church (where we have a College memorial).

In Years 12 and 13:

While in the past we have visited Russia and Paris, this year we are going to Washington for the second time during the Michaelmas half-term.