July 2023 History Subject Update

GCSE History specification language amendments

We are updating some of the language used in our GCSE History specification, for first teaching September 2023, first assessment Summer 2025. On our website we have provided detailed guidance on the changes including the rationale for each amendment, FAQs and further support for teachers. We will also be running a training event on 5 September to go through the changes in more detail and to give you an opportunity to ask us questions and provide feedback.

We will soon be updating specific language in our A level History specification and details of these changes will be provided in the Autumn term.

Summer 2023 post-exam series teacher survey

To enable us to improve the experience of teachers using our qualifications and students sitting our exams, we gather feedback after each exam series. If you're a teacher, and your students have taken any of our exams in the May/June 2023 series we want to know what you liked or didn't like in this year's exam papers. We'll share your feedback with our senior examiners and across teams to ensure we continue to make improvements to our papers where appropriate so we can make sure your students have the best exam experience.

Getting Ready for Summer 2023 Results Day

Access key information and guidance for the Summer 2023 results period for GCSE, International GCSE and A level History, including key dates, details of post-results services and grade boundaries.

Exam results 2023: 10 things to know about grades from Ofqual

This year GCSEs, AS and A levels are returning to pre-pandemic standards, with protection built into the grading process to recognise the disruption that students have faced. This blog from Ofqual provides a useful summary of this process for students.

Summer 2023 question papers are now available

The Summer 2023 question papers are now available to download securely from our website. You will need an Edexcel Online account to download secure materials.

Summer 2023 mark schemes will be available on our website from 18 July 2023.

AS/A level Summer 2023 examiner reports will be available on our website from 22 August 2023.

GCSE Summer 2023 examiner reports will be available on our website from 29 August 2023.

You will also be able to download examiner reports from ResultsPlus on results day.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE History presentation from SHP conference 2023: implementing change and preparing for future reform.

Work on developing the current GCSE History specification began nearly a decade ago now, and much has moved on since then in the study of history. This presentation from the 2023 Schools History Project Conference is an opportunity to reflect on this and consider what changes may be on the horizon. As well as presenting some of our observations and ideas, we consider a range of issues, such as selecting and structuring content; approaches to assessment; diversity, equity and inclusion; and how we support teachers and students as the study of history evolves.

Hot off the press: Pearson School Report 2023

The brand-new Pearson School Report explores education in England and how educators are pioneering change in 2023. Featuring the views of 6,000+ teachers and 1,000 students, the report shares experiences from both sides of the school desks and invaluable insights on:

• challenges and opportunities facing schools
• sustainability and climate education
• digital innovation – the positives, possibilities and problems to solve
• diversity, equity and inclusion.