Curriculum Intent:
The History curriculum here at NES is designed to provide a stimulating narrative of British and international histories. We endeavour to provide a diverse curriculum with ‘windows’ to other cultures and traditions for students and ‘mirrors’ so that our students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Every year and topic has overarching key enquiries, supported by lesson enquiries with second-order concepts at their core such as change and continuity, cause and consequence, significance, similarity and difference, sources and interpretations. While being ambitious, History is also inclusive both in what is taught, as well as how. As such we ensure our lessons are accessible and personalised.
Edexcel GCSE (for students sitting exams 2024)
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. GCSE History students must take assessments in all three of the following papers in the same series.
Paper 1: Thematic study and historic environment
- Medicine in Britain, c1250–present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.
How the paper is assessed:
Written examination: 1 hour and 15 minutes 30% of the qualification 52 marks (16 for the historic environment, 36 for the thematic study).
Section A: historic environment Students answer a question that assesses knowledge plus a two-part question based on two provided sources.
Section B: thematic study Students answer three questions that assess their knowledge and understanding. The first two questions are compulsory. For the third question, students answer one from a choice of two.
Paper 2: Period study and British depth study
B1: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88
P3: The American West, c1835–c1895
How the paper is assessed:
Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes 40% of the qualification 64 marks (32 for the period study and 32 for the British depth study).
Booklet P Period study Students answer three questions that assess their knowledge and understanding. The first two questions are compulsory. For the third question, students select two out of three parts. Booklet B British depth study Students answer a single three-part question that assesses their knowledge and understanding. The first two parts are compulsory. For the third part, students select one from a choice of two.
Paper 3: Modern Depth Study
31: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39
How the paper is assessed:
Written examination: 1 hour and 20 minutes 30% of the qualification 52 marks.
Section A Students answer a question based on a provided source and a question that assesses their knowledge and understanding. Section B Students answer a single four-part question, based on two provided sources and two provided interpretations.
AQA GCSE (for students sitting exams from 2025)
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course. GCSE History students must take assessments in both of the following papers in the same series.
Paper 1: Understanding the Modern World
AB Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship
BA Conflict and tension: The First World War, 1894–1918
How the paper is assessed:
Written exam: 2 hours. 84 marks (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar). 50% of GCSE
Section A: Germany: six compulsory questions covering analysis of interpretations, description, explanation and significance of factors.
Section B: First World War: four compulsory questions covering source analysis, cause/consequence explanation, and evaluation of a statement.
Paper 2: Shaping the Nation
AC Britain: Migration, empires and the people: c790 to the present day
BC Elizabethan England, c1568–1603
How the paper is assessed:
Written exam: 2 hours. 84 marks (including 4 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar). 50% of GCSE
Section A: Migration: four compulsory questions covering source analysis, significance, explanation of similarities, and significance of factors.
Section B: Elizabethan England: four compulsory questions covering analysis of interpretations, cause/consequence explanation and a historic environment case study.
Careers Links
Studying History provides an excellent opportunity to develop transferable skills that can be applied to a vast range of different career paths. Click here for examples of some of the employability skills History can provide.
Explore career profiles related to History on Unifrog:
- Archivist
- Barrister
- Antique Dealer
- Barrister’s clerk
- Archaeologist
- Solicitor
- Art gallery curator
- Museum curator
- Crown prosecutor
- Paralegal
- Conservator
- Historian
Resources
Edexcel GCSE History
AQA GCSE History
BBC Bitesize: Edexcel History
BBC Bitesize: AQA GCSE History
History Revision Videos
History Articles
