History A Level

Applications Open: 21st November 2025 (9.00am)

Applications Close: 13th February 2026 (4.00pm)

How to apply:

- All INTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Applicaa using this link (coming soon!)

- All EXTERNAL applicants MUST apply via Kent Choices using this link https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

- All correspondence between learners and the school after an application is made will be via Applicaa.

- All applicants (internal and external) will be invited in for a 1-1 guidance meeting.

- Those who have a successful guidance meeting will be offered a place to study at St John's Sixth Form from September 2026.

It would be great to know what could happen before we make an important decision wouldn’t it? Well, studying history can help us do this on a big scale.

By analysing past events we learn about the consequences of people’s actions, from kings and queens to the London baker who forgot to put his fire out on September 2nd 1666. If we apply this knowledge to the present, governments, businesses and individuals can learn lessons from past mistakes or successes and make informed choices about their futures.

In history we study lots of different sources and learn that events are often the result of complex and multiple factors. It’s never as simple as person A whacking person B over the head and starting a war. Politics, communication, beliefs, misunderstandings and even the environment can shape the way things turn out.

At St John’s you will study such diverse topics as the Reformation in England, Luther and the German Reformation and the Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA; you will also have the opportunity of a personal study of your choice.

Year 12: AS History

Units 1 and 2.

Unit 1 - Paper 1B: England, 1509–1603: authority, nation and religion

Unit 2 – Paper 2B.1: Luther and the German Reformation, c.1515–55

Year 12 & Year 13: A Level History

Units 1 to 4

40% of AS grade, 20% of A Level grade.

Unit 3 – Paper 3.3 Civil Rights and Race Relations in the USA, C1850-2009.

30% of A Level grade.

Unit 4- HISTORICAL ENQUIRY

Coursework unit which is completed by May of Y13. 20% of A Level grade.

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 5 subjects at GCSE Grade 5/BTEC Level 2 Pass or higher:

Including

• Grade 6 in GCSE English Language or Literature

• Grade 6 in either History, Geography or RE.

Studying history is inspiring. When we discover what people have achieved against the odds and how things can change over time, it can give us the motivation we need to succeed. People who study history are fearless explorers of the past. They investigate past politics, societies, cultures, languages, health, art, education, money, conflicts and more, look at how things have developed over time and connect the dots to understand how we got where we are today. It might be about the past, but there are plenty of careers in history that you can pursue today. Why study history? Because it's great news for your future!

The skills developed in the study of History are essential to successful study in any subject in Higher Education and in a variety of careers in industry, journalism, television, law, education, the civil service, archaeology, local government and politics, nursing and accountancy among others. Thus there is access to a wide range of career and further education opportunities.