Students will begin GCSE History in Year 9 if selected as an option and study the Edexcel specification. The specification is linear which means that all exams will be completed at the end of the course in Year 11 Year 9 is treated as a transition year where we slowly work through the thematic study and really practise embedding historical writing skills.

Students will study the following topics as part of the GCSE.

Paper 1: Thematic study and historic environment

• 11: Medicine in Britain, c1250-present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914-18: injuries, treatment and the trenches

Skills assessed: Knowledge and understanding and use of sources. Assessed by a written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes. 52 marks (36 for the thematic study, 16 for the historic environment) 30% of the qualification. 

Paper 2: Period study and British depth study

• B1: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060-88
• 24/25: The American West, c1835-c1895

Skills assessed: Knowledge and understanding. Assessed by a written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes. 64 marks (32 for the period study, 32 for the British depth study) 40% of the qualification. 

Paper 3: Modern depth study

• 31: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39

Skills assessed: Knowledge and understanding and use of sources and interpretations. Assessed by a written examination: 1 hour 20 minutes. 64 marks (32 for the period study, 32 for the British depth study) 30% of the qualification. 

Past papers and other materials can be found here https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/history-2016.html

If you require any further information about the KS4 curriculum, please contact Ms Kesterton (Curriculum Leader: History)