1. Supporting your child through GCSE History 2015-17
OCR A Schools History Project J415 (September 2013 onwards)
1: What is your child studying?
2:What skills are required for GCSE success?
3: Home/School partnerships: Practical ideas for helping students to achieve their potential.

2. GCSE History: 2015-17 COURSE STRUCTURE
YEAR
AUTUMN TERM
SPRING TERM
SUMMER TERM 10
DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY
The Weimar Republic and Germany
The rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party up to 1933.
The Nazi Dictatorship up to 1945, including Germany’s role in the Second World War.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT: ‘HISTORY AROUND US’
This will be a SITE BASED STUDY(TBC) Students will complete ONE task; this has a 2000 word limit .
The CA is completed in class under varying levels of control.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT COMPLETION
&
START OF DEVELOPMENT STUDY : ‘CRIME AND PUNISHMENT’ 250 AD -1250 11
DEVELOPMENT STUDY: ‘CRIME AND PUNISHMENT’
HISTORICAL SOURCE INVESTIGATION: ‘PROTEST AND REACTION IN BRITAIN ’.
This includes SIX case studies eg Suffragettes.
REVISION AND COMPLETION OF TWO EXAM PAPERS!

3. 1: Controlled Assessment A953 on ‘History Around Us’
How is the GCSE Assessed?
1: Controlled Assessment A953 on ‘History Around Us’
This is completed in class during Y10. One 2000 word student response (50 marks )= 25% of their GCSE grade.
2: Exam Paper Unit A954: Development and Depth Study
This paper is 1hour and 45 minutes ( 81 marks) This exam tests the work on ‘Crime and Punishment’ and ‘Germany ’ with factual and source based questions= 45% of their GCSE grade.
3: Exam Paper Unit A955: Historical Source Investigation
This paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes (53 marks) This exam tests the work on ‘ Protest and Reaction in Britain ’ with source questions; where supporting own knowledge is also important= 30% of their GCSE grade.

4. Skills required for success in GCSE History.
Source Analysis- Critical evaluation of sources for purpose/reliability.
Comparison of Sources for Differences/Similarities.
Using evidence to support judgements.
Constructing written arguments and prioritising reasons.
Independent/selective research.
Learning content (Dates/Events)
Learning key subject specific spellings!!

5. How can teachers/parents help?
Teacher Feedback- End of Unit Tests- Specific Targets/Opportunities to retry work.
Encouraging Independent learning: Encourage children to undertake specific research and to look for KEY RELEVANT QUOTES and POINTS. Especially for Controlled Assessment.
Going Deeper: Wider reading/ Documentaries/Internet resources eg johndclare.net, BBC Bitesize, Historical Association, TES. Revision books are currently being updated!
Exam Technique: Answering the SPECIFIC question- Aim for analysis/explanation/links rather than story telling.
Revision Techniques: Personalised: Mind Maps, Cards, Timelines across walls!!PODCASTS??

6. Channels of Communication!
We can set up class group lists to inform parents when homework tasks have been set and to inform you of upcoming Controlled Assessment tasks.
The aim is to keep you up to date with developments and to open up easy channels of communication.
Please feel free to your child’s class teacher
Together, we aim to ensure that GCSE History will be fulfilling and successful for all!