January 2024 History Subject Update
Happy New Year! This update contains useful information, news and advice for Edexcel History teachers, including our new Edexcel GCSE History Medicine in Britain knowledge booster tests.
Edexcel GCSE History Medicine in Britain knowledge booster tests
The new Edexcel GCSE History Medicine in Britain knowledge booster tests are now available on our website. This set of quizzes are designed to support students with AO1 knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.
GCSE History Paper 3 Germany practice question
The new GCSE History Germany practice question 3 is now available on our website. This question can be used in mocks alongside the June 2023 paper questions 1 and 2.
GCSE History supporting lower-attaining students training event
We are running the following paid-for training event to support teachers this term:
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE History: Supporting lower-attaining students: 27 February 2024 at 16:00 - 18:00 GMT, fee: £40.
We are also planning to run a similar event to support higher-attaining students later this year and more details will be provided soon.
A level History delivering coursework training
This free event will help teachers prepare to deliver the coursework component in A Level History.
- Pearson Edexcel A Level History: delivering coursework: 28 February 2024 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
A level History coursework artificial intelligence guidance
The final A level History guidance on artificial Intelligence (AI) is now available to download from the qualification page.
GCSE History entry code calculator
This update contains a link to the entry code calculator for GCSE History, as well as a reminder of the entry deadline. The entry codes for Summer 2024 Edexcel GCSE History will be the same as in Summer 2023 so the calculator remains unchanged from last year.
GCSE History Assessment Review: keeping teachers up to date
In December 2023 we provided teachers with an update on our review of the Summer series and plans for making improvements to the student assessment experience.
We have now submitted our GCSE proposals to Ofqual and we will update you as soon as we can.
The following schedule is to keep you informed of changes (and potential changes) to our GCSE History specifications and assessments over the next few years:
| First assessment: Summer 2024 | Change | GCSE History mark scheme amendment: Level 2 stimulus cap removed |
| First assessment: Summer 2024 | Change | Additional checks being carried out to ensure papers free from error. Papers being reviewed with a focus on clarity of questions, use of stimulus and dates in questions |
| First assessment: Summer 2025 | Change | GCSE History language amendments: specific language changes to terms such as ‘Plains Indians’ which are now considered outdated and problematic |
| First assessment: Summer 2025 | Potential change | Minor amendments to GCSE assessments to improve the overall exam experience for students – current proposals are with Ofqual and we will inform teachers of specific changes as soon as we can |
| First assessment: Summer 2026 | Potential change | Possible review of specification content to improve the way topics are taught – we are currently exploring the possibility of making some minor amendments and aim to provide further information on these later this year |
Advanced British Standard consultation
The government recently announced plans to develop a new qualification framework called the Advanced British Standard for 16-18 year-olds which will bring together A levels and T levels into a single qualification framework. They recently launched a consultation on this proposal and are inviting feedback from education providers and other stakeholders on how best to design and implement the Advanced British Standard.
SHP New Teachers Conference (Virtual)
Tickets are still available for the SHP New Teachers Conference which takes place on Saturday 3 February 2024. For all of the details about the event including the workshops for primary and secondary history teachers and the keynote lecture, please visit the SHP website:
Schools history student conference: empire and migration
On 21 February 2024 the National Portrait Gallery are hosting a special one-day history conference for KS4 History students with a focus on the themes of empire and migration, explored through the gallery’s collection and displays. Students will have the opportunity to hear from historians such as Hannah Cusworth, and curators including Dr Sarah Moulden. They will engage in seminars and panel discussions and will have the chance to explore the Gallery.
I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions please email me at teachinghistory@pearson.com
Subject advisor
Mark Battye
History
