History Curriculum

A broad and interesting sweep of History is taught at Merchiston by an enthusiastic and well-qualified department. History is a compulsory subject from I Form through to IV Form, giving a good grounding in Scottish, British and World History, from the Romans to the Cold War. Most pupils carry on with the subject at GCSE and it is a popular subject at Sixth Form level. As well as History, members of the department also teach A Level Government and Politics.

I-IV Forms

In addition to its broad range of topics and periods, Lower School History introduces boys to basic historical techniques whilst at the same time making the subject accessible and enjoyable. In I Form pupils study the Romans, investigating topics such as Roman life and keys figures in Roman History such as Julius Caesar. In II Form boys look at aspects of medieval history with a particular concentration on the Wars of Independence and on the Crusades. We also take them to Stirling where they visit the castle, the Wallace Monument and the Bannockburn Heritage Centre. The III Form seeks to pick out the key themes from the Early Modern period, including religious change and the Union. Boys are taken from the Renaissance through the Reformation and the Civil Wars to the Jacobites. They visit Holyroodhouse in September, and a Jacobite tour is planned for the Summer Term. The IV Form begins with an investigation into aspects of the British Empire. In addition, the foundations are laid for GCSE History with pupils studying World War I; boys consider topics such as life in the trenches and the Home Front, as well as the major campaigns. In February we join with the French department to run a trip to the Battlefields of the Western Front.

Shell & V Forms

Boys taking History at GCSE study the OCR Modern World Syllabus. This offers them an exciting range of 20th Century European and World History. Topics covered include the peace settlements of 1919, Weimar and Nazi Germany, and Edwardian Britain. As part of this syllabus pupils complete two pieces of coursework. This involves considering Roosevelt and America in the 1920s and 1930s. 25% of the final mark at GCSE is based on coursework.

Sixth Form Courses

The department offers two coherent courses for A-level, one covering the religious conflicts of the sixteenth century and the other the revolutionary period of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Both courses follow our philosophy of studying periods and aspects of History that are unfamiliar and challenging. The department is keen to develop boys’ analytical and research skills, not least through the Personal Study in the U6. An A Level Government & Politics course is also offered, giving a comprehensive overview of the current political system in the L6 and exploring the principal political philosophies and ideologies in the U6. All pupils in the Sixth Form benefit from an extensive programme of visiting speakers including academics and politicians. Both A Level History and Government and Politics candidates can attend the department's reading trip to Glasgow University.

History A Level course

Syllabus: AQA

Areas of Study
Lower VI (AS)

British History: Early Tudors OR C20th British

Non-British History: C19th Russia OR C20th USA

Upper VI (A2)
British History: Mid Tudors OR C17th British
Non-British History: C19th France OR C20th USA
A Personal Study

Government & Politics A Level course

Syllabus: AQA

Areas of Study
Lower VI (AS)

British History: Henry VIII OR the loss of America

Non-British History: C16th Reformation OR French Revolution

Upper VI (A2)
British History: Later Tudors OR British Empire
Non-British History: C16th Europe OR C19th France

Government & Politics A Level course

Syllabus: Edexcel

Areas of Study
Lower VI (AS)