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AS Level History a (From September 2015) Ii Teaching and Learning Resources Iii Professional Development Iv

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AS Level History a (From September 2015) Ii Teaching and Learning Resources Iii Professional Development Iv AS LEVEL Specification HISTORY A H105 For first assessment in 2016 ocr.org.uk/alevelhistorya We will inform centres about any changes to the specification. We will also publish changes on our website. The latest version of our specification will always be the one on our website (ocr.org.uk) and this may differ from printed versions. Copyright © 2014 OCR. All rights reserved. Copyright OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this specification booklet for their own internal use. Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registered company number 3484466. Registered office: 1 Hills Road Cambridge CB1 2EU. OCR is an exempt charity. Contents Introducing… AS Level History A (from September 2015) ii Teaching and learning resources iii Professional Development iv 1 Why choose an OCR AS Level in History A? 1 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1 1b. Why choose an OCR AS Level in History A? 2 1c. What are the key features of this specification? 3 1d. How do I find out more information? 3 2 The specification overview 4 2a. Overview of AS Level in History A (H105) 4 2b. Content of AS Level in History A (H105) 5 2c. Content of unit group 1: British period study and enquiry (Units Y131 to Y143) 8 2c. Content of unit group 2: Non-British period study (Units Y231 to Y254) 33 2d. Prior learning and progression 60 3 Assessment of OCR AS Level in History A 61 3a. Forms of assessment 61 3b. Assessment objectives (AOs) 61 3c. Assessment availability 62 3d. Retaking the qualification 62 3e. Assessment of extended response 62 3f. Synoptic assessment 62 3g. Calculating qualification results 62 4 Admin: what you need to know 63 4a. Pre-assessment 63 4b. Accessibility and special consideration 63 4c. External assessment arrangements 64 4d. Results and certificates 64 4e. Post-results services 64 4f. Malpractice 65 5 Appendices 66 5a. Grade descriptors 66 5b. Overlap with other qualifications 66 5c. Avoidance of bias 66 5d. Examples of routes through the specification 66 © OCR 2016 AS Level in History A i Introducing… AS Level History A (from September 2015) Our AS Level History A specification provides a fantastic Meet the team curriculum for your students to ignite and engage We have a dedicated team of people working on our their passions and interests. We’ve never thought AS Level History qualifications. that there’s any one ‘correct’ approach to History as a subject. It’s too valuable and simply too massive to Find out more about our History team at be limited to a mere handful of approved options. ocr.org.uk/historyteam As there is no core content in History, our vision is to allow you to have as much professional freedom as If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get possible to approach the subject in your chosen valid in touch: way. • 01223 553998 This means your students will: • [email protected] • Study the history of more than one • @OCR_History country or state in addition to the study of British history • Undertake a thematic study, covering an extended period of history of approximately 100 years • Explore a topic in history they have an interest in through the coursework element. Our aim is to create independent learners, critical thinkers and decision-makers – all personal assets that can make them stand out as they progress to higher education and/or the workplace © OCR 2016 ii AS Level in History A Teaching and learning resources We recognise that the introduction of a new Plenty of useful resources specification can bring challenges for implementation and teaching. Our aim is to help you at every stage and You’ll have four main types of subject-specific teaching we’re working hard to provide a practical package of and learning resources at your fingertips: support in close consultation with teachers and other • Delivery Guides experts, so we can help you to make the change. • Transition Guides Designed to support progression for all • Topic Exploration Packs Our resources are designed to provide you with a range of teaching activities and suggestions so you can • Lesson elements. select the best approach for your particular students. Along with subject-specific resources, you’ll also have You are the experts on how your students learn and access to a selection of generic resources that focus our aim is to support you in the best way we can. on skills development and professional guidance for We want to… teachers. • Support you with a body of knowledge Skills Guides – we’ve produced a set of Skills Guides that grows throughout the lifetime of the that are not specific to History, but each covers a topic specification that could be relevant to a range of qualifications – for example, communication, legislation and research. • Provide you with a range of suggestions so Download the guides at ocr.org.uk/skillsguides. you can select the best activity, approach or context for your particular students Active Results – a free online results analysis service to help you review the performance of individual • Make it easier for you to explore and students or your whole school. It provides access to interact with our resource materials, in detailed results data, enabling more comprehensive particular to develop your own schemes analysis of results in order to give you a more accurate of work measurement of the achievements of your centre and • Create an ongoing conversation so we can individual students. For more details refer to develop materials that work for you. ocr.org.uk/activeresults © OCR 2016 AS Level in History A iii Professional Development Take advantage of our improved Professional These events are designed to help prepare you for first Development Programme, designed with you in mind. teaching and to support your delivery at every stage. Whether you want to come to face-to-face events, look at our new digital training or search for training Watch out for details at cpdhub.ocr.org.uk. materials, you can find what you’re looking for all in To receive the latest information about the training one place at the CPD Hub. we’ll be offering please register for GCSE email updates An introduction to the new specifications at ocr.org.uk/updates. We’ll be running events to help you get to grips with our AS Level History A qualification. © OCR 2016 iv AS Level in History A 1 Why choose an OCR AS Level in History A? 1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? Choose OCR and you’ve got the reassurance that • A wide range of high-quality creative resources you’re working with one of the UK’s leading awarding including: bodies. Our new AS Level in History A course has been o Delivery Guides developed in consultation with teachers, employers o Transition Guides 1 and higher education to provide students with a o Topic Exploration Packs qualification that’s relevant to them and meets their o Lesson Elements needs. o …and much more. We’re part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, • Access to subject specialists to support you Europe’s largest assessment agency and a department through the transition and throughout the of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge Assessment lifetimes of the specifications. plays a leading role in developing and delivering assessments throughout the world, operating in over • CPD/Training for teachers including face-to- 150 countries. face events to introduce the qualifications and prepare you for first teaching. We work with a range of education providers, including schools, colleges, workplaces and other institutions • Active Results – our free results analysis service in both the public and private sectors. Over 13,000 to help you review the performance of individual centres choose our A levels, GCSEs and vocational students or whole schools. qualifications including Cambridge Nationals, • ExamCreator – our new online past papers Cambridge Technicals and Cambridge Progression. service that enables you to build your own test Our Specifications papers from past OCR exam questions. All AS level qualifications offered by OCR are accredited We believe in developing specifications that help you by Ofqual, the Regulator for qualifications offered in bring the subject to life and inspire your students to England. The accreditation number for OCR’s AS Level achieve more. in History A is (QN: 601/4843/3). We’ve created teacher-friendly specifications based on extensive research and engagement with the teaching community. They’re designed to be straightforward and accessible so that you can tailor the delivery of the course to suit your needs. We aim to encourage learners to become responsible for their own learning, confident in discussing ideas, innovative and engaged. We provide a range of support services designed to help you at every stage, from preparation through to the delivery of our specifications. This includes: Vertical black lines indicate a significant change to the previous printed version. © OCR 2016 AS Level in History A 1 1b. Why choose an OCR AS Level in History A? OCR AS Level in History A consists of two externally • communication – the ability to discuss key assessed units, each with a wide and attractive range issues verbally and written down is vital to any of content options. future success. Historians use this skill daily and 1 so university and employers will value someone It is our strong desire to ensure that OCR History who can articulate their thoughts and those of should captivate the learner and develop a desire the business in a clear and professional way within them to continue learning beyond the confines of the classroom.
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