Drafting the new SHP OCR GCSE for 2016

Throughout the autumn term, SHP has been working in partnership with OCR to draft the SHP GCSE for 2016. You can see the fruits of our labours in the draft outline specification below. We are very excited about our new specification and believe that it will provide a rigorous and engaging GCSE course for the next generation of students. The new draft specification is, of course, underpinned by SHP’s six principles [ here ]. The options for each of the studies range widely across periods, places and cultures; and engage students with a range of approaches to studying history. The equal weighting given to the five studies (each representing 20% of the GCSE) should provide a clear and consistent structure that will be helpful for course planning. The options cover a wide range of fascinating history. A balance across periods is maintained by providing an equal number of options for medieval, early modern and modern history. Overall, the options provide some continuity with worthwhile elements of the current SHP specification, and offer new and exciting areas of study for GCSE students. Our rationale for each of the studies within the specification is as follows:

The thematic study requires students to understand change and continuity across a long sweep of history. Each of the option begins in the Roman period and encourages students to think about the relationship between past and present by following the theme through to the present day. The study focuses on a social/cultural theme in British history. This provides a contrast with the greater political focus of the British depth study and ensures balance across the specification as a whole. The choice of studies provides some continuity with current development studies in the SHP specification, and offers a fascinating new option on Migrants to Britain.

The British depth study focuses on a coherent short time span and a period of history during which the country faced severe pressure due to the possibility, or actuality, of invasion. The depth study includes strong political and military elements, and will focus on the interplay between these and other aspects.  This emphasis provides a clear contrast with the thematic study. Each of the options has been the subject of scholarly debate and is rich in interpretation.

The period study has been given a wider world focus in order to maintain the overall balance and coherence of the specification. Each of the options focuses on a considerable time span that goes beyond the requirement of a ‘medium time span of at least 50 years’. We believe that the longer narrative sweep will help learners to grasp the central ideas, events and developments within the period study. The relatively long time span will provide an appropriate contrast with the wider world depth studies and, by requiring students to engage with a ‘complete’ narrative, will add to the overall coherence and rigour of the GCSE.

The wider world depth study focuses on a historical situation involving the interplay of different societies and cultures. The options reinforce the coherence of the course by allowing students to explore the concept of invasion and conquest in a different context from the British depth study. Each of the options is rich in contemporary historical sources and has been the subject of a wide range of interpretations.

In the spirit of SHP, the specification recognises the importance of studying ‘History Around Us’ by allocating the study of the historic environment 20% of the GCSE and by assessing this element through a separate exam paper. Centres will have completely free choice of the site to be studied and students will have the opportunity to study the fascinating history around them.

Michael Riley     

Director, Schools History Project 

OCR SHP GCSE 2016 Specification (subject to accreditation)

Paper 1 British History 40%

Paper 2 Historic Environment 20%

Paper 3 Wider World History 40%