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Subject update | Wed Sep 09 08:00:00 UTC 2026

September 2026 History subject update

This update contains useful information, news and advice for Edexcel History teachers including key dates for your diary and details of training events we are running this term.

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Key Dates
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  • Review of marking and moderation deadline: 24 September 2026 - After this date you will no longer be able to request a review of marking or moderation through our enquiry about results service.
  • Access to scripts deadline: 11 December 2026 - After this date you will no longer be able to view your students’ scripts using our free service.
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Training for History teachers
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The GCSE and A level History Summer 2026 exam insights events are now available to book online:

  • GCSE History: Exam Insights Summer 2026 - 13 October 2026 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
  • A Level History: Exam Insights Summer 2026 - 21 October 2026 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

We are also running network events for GCSE and A level History in early 2027:

  • A Level History: Tackling the Paper 2 Depth Study - 25 January 2027 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
  • GCSE History: Tackling the Period Study - 10 February 2027 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
  • GCSE History: Exploring Paper 3 Question 3 - 02 March 2027 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT

Find out more and book your place by searching for History on our training page.

Read our PD guide for more information on training available this academic year:

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Recorded History training events

We have several recorded training events for teachers who are new to teaching our History specifications or who need more support:

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Resources and support materials
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Important reminder: Edexcel AS and A level History specification amendments

In June we announced some amendments to our AS and A level History specifications for first teaching September 2026, and for first assessment June 2027 (AS level) and June 2028 (A level). Issue 4 of the A level History specification and Issue 5 of the AS level History specification are now available on our website. To support you with understanding the changes, we have provided guidance documents showing the marked-up changes that might affect teaching.
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Edexcel GCSE History Summer 2026 grade boundaries

This update provides further information to Edexcel GCSE History teachers on Summer 2026 grade boundaries.
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Updated A level History Coursework Authentication Sheet

We’ve recently updated our A level History coursework / NEA authentication sheet to reflect more consistent JCQ wording around issues such as the use of AI.

Please ensure that you use this version of the authentication sheet when submitting samples for moderation in 2027:

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Please note that our position on the use of AI in A level History coursework remains unchanged – see this guidance document for further details:

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Summer 26 ResultsPlus global data

On our website you can now find spreadsheets containing global data from the Summer 2026 exam series for GCSE and A level History. This data gives you a detailed breakdown of the mean marks on each question overall and by grade. Please note you will need to use your Edexcel Online username and password to access these documents.

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GCSE History of Medicine Study Days at the British Library

The British Library are running a series of free hands-on History of Medicine Study Days for GCSE History students, in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians. The dates are 5 November 2026, 1 December 2026 and 11 January 2027.

Linked to their major exhibition, Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery, students will explore themes including war-time medical innovations, the link between poisons and drugs, and the role of women in the history of medicine. The day will include an exhibition visit, interactive workshops and the chance to handle selected archival material from the collection of the Royal College of Physicians.
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South Asian Britain: Connecting Histories
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South Asian Britain: Connecting Histories is a free online platform that reveals and explores the presence of South Asians in Britain, from the 1830s to today.
 
A key feature of the resource is a collection of learning pages aimed at KS3 and above, co-produced with the British Library’s Learning Team and their network of teachers, on topics including activism and politics, culture and intellectual life, making home in Britain, the welfare state, women’s history and experiences, partition and migration to Britain, and the two world wars.
 
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Each learning page links to a selection of digitised archival documents, images, and audio interview clips. The learning pages on South Asian Britain accompany around 750 entries on individuals, organisations and events, topical theme pages, and oral testimonies from a wide range of British South Asians, reflecting the richness of the diaspora.
 
South Asian Britain is an output from the research project Remaking Britain: South Asian Connections and Networks, 1830s to the Present - a collaboration between Queen Mary University of London and the University of Bristol, in partnership with the British Library and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
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Tapestry of Black Britons

Tapestry of Black Britons is an ambitious arts and heritage project that aims to create a more inclusive understanding of British history by celebrating over 1,500 years of African and Caribbean contributions to Britain. Through a series of large woven tapestries, developed with communities, artists and educators across the UK, the project seeks to address gaps in historical awareness and foster a shared sense of identity and belonging.
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Reform of the National Curriculum and GCSEs
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A public consultation on the draft programmes of study for the National Curriculum is due to launch in September. The revised National Curriculum will then then be published in spring 2027, for first teaching September 2028.

The DfE has not confirmed yet which phase GCSE History will be in.

Thank you to everyone who has talked to us about curriculum reform throughout 2026, at conferences, in your centres, or as part of your trust. We’re dedicated to continually enhancing our History qualifications, ensuring they remain inspiring, relevant, and of the highest quality for every learner. We look forward to continuing to engage with teachers, learners and other organisations to make this a reality. We’ll keep you updated with next steps via our website and let you know about further opportunities to get involved and share your views. 

Subject advisor

Mark Battye

History
Email :
teachinghistory@pearson.com
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Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535 (Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm GMT)
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Mark Battye, History subject advisor

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