Fri Jun 14 12:19:00 UTC 2024
Following a thorough and comprehensive review of our GCSE History assessment model, we are now ready to move on to the next stage of improvements which focus on changes to the specification content. Issue 6 of the specification is now available on our website, for first teaching September 2024, first assessment 2026. This update is to inform you of the content changes we are making and to outline the guidance that is available to support you.
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Earlier this year we announced some changes to our GCSE History assessment model, which are being introduced for first assessment Summer 2025. Improving the experience for students
- Read about how we are improving the exam experience for students from Summer 2025
At the time of this announcement, we informed you that we were also carrying out research with teachers to make some minor amendments to topics to improve the way they can be taught. As with the changes to assessment, our intention was to minimise disruption to teachers and avoid any significant ‘knock-on’ issues arising with published resources which schools have invested in. Having worked closely with our Senior Examining team and a number of schools, we are now pleased to announce details of the changes, which will come into effect for first teaching September 2024, first exam Summer 2026.
There are three main types of amendment: We got extensive feedback on the drafts from experienced teachers at more than 20 schools and trusts, and there was widespread support for the changes and the rationale behind them. We have not been able to remove significant chunks of content as this could undermine the coherence of an option’s structure and focus. Significant changes must await reform. In making the changes that we have, we have also not adjusted our overall approach to how we present specification content: we think this detailed approach provides clarity about the content requirements, and we did not want to jeopardise that clarity in any way. Our approach to the content review
Issue 6 of the specification is now available on our website, for first teaching September 2024, first assessment 2026: Supporting you with these changes
We have created a series of detailed guidance documents, one for each topic, which show details of the amendments and provide a rationale:
You can watch a pre-recorded training event which outlines the rationale behind these changes and provides a summary of the further support available:
Play
Edexcel GCSE History improving the student experience: 2026 content changes
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We have created an FAQs document which will be updated in time to reflect any additional questions we are asked about the content changes:
We've also updated the Getting Started Teachers Guide to reflect these changes:
We are considering running a live online training session in the Autumn term to reflect on these content changes, as well as the 2025 assessment and language changes, and offer you an opportunity to ask questions. More information will be provided over the summer.
First assessment Summer 2025: changes to the assessment model and language changes (Issue 5 of the specification). First assessment Summer 2026: specification content changes (Issue 6 of the specification, for first teaching September 2024). Please note: because the specification content changes are not assessed until Summer 2026 we will have Issue 5 and Issue 6 of the specification up on the website at the same time until Summer 2025. We will make sure both specifications are clearly labelled to avoid confusion.Reminder: timeline of Edexcel GCSE History changes
We have created a quick survey to capture teachers' views on the 2026 content changes and we'd welcome your feedback. We welcome your feedback on these changes
We hope you found this update useful and if you have any questions about these changes please email us at teachinghistory@pearson.com
Subject advisor
Mark Battye
History
Email :
teachinghistory@pearson.com
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535 (Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm GMT)
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