GCSE – History

Curriculum

The WJEC GCSE in History is attractive, giving learners the opportunity to study:

• specific aspects of the past in depth (short term), and breadth (medium and long term)
• history in a variety of geographical contexts: local, British and European and/or
  wider world settings
• continuity, change, cause, consequence, significance and similarity and
  difference over different periods of time both short term, medium term and long term
• Welsh history and a Welsh perspective which arises naturally from the subject
  matter which enriches learners’ understanding of the world around them

The WJEC GCSE in History encourages learners to:

• develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history and an understanding of its
  intrinsic value and significance
• develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of specific historical
  events, periods and societies
• develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of Welsh history and the Welsh perspective in history
• acquire an understanding of different identities, including their own, within a
  society and an appreciation of social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity
• build on their understanding of the past and the diversity of human experience
  through experiencing a broad and balanced course of study
• improve as effective, independent and resilient learners and as critical and
  reflective thinkers through a process of historical enquiry
• develop the ability to ask relevant and considered questions about the past and
  to investigate historical issues critically
• acquire an understanding of the nature of historical study, for example, that
  history is concerned with judgements based on available evidence and that
  some historical judgements may be more valid than others
•  develop their use and understanding of historical terms, concepts and skills
• develop the ability to construct valid and realistic historical claims by using a
  range of sources in context
•  develop a critical appreciation of the concept of historical significance and why
  some people, events and developments are seen as historically significant
• develop a critical appreciation of how and why different interpretations have been constructed about historically significant people, events and developments
• make links and draw comparisons within and/or across different periods and
  aspects of the past
• organise and communicate their historical knowledge and understanding in
  different ways, arguing a case and reaching substantiated judgements.

Assessment

This unitised qualification will be available in the summer series each year.

There are three written papers,. In the Unit 4 paper, you will be required to answer an essay question.

Exam Access Arrangements

Exam access arrangements allow candidates/learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment without changing the demands of the assessment. For example, readers, scribes and Braille question papers. In this way, Awarding Bodies will comply with the duty of the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.

We can arrange access arrangements and assess you with our special assessor.  The deadline for application to the exam board is the February of the year the learner sits exams.

To find out more about exam access arrangements  click here

FAQs