As a home education teacher offering free live lessons in the UK, I’ve seen firsthand how history—far from being the dry, dreary subject some imagine—can captivate and inspire. Particularly at the GCSE level, history provides a robust challenge encompassing many topics and periods, necessitating significant dedication and memorisation. Today, I’d like to demystify what it means to undertake GCSE History under the Edexcel exam board and share the virtues and challenges of navigating this subject from a home education perspective.
Understanding the Structure of GCSE History with Edexcel
GCSE History under Edexcel is anything but straightforward, with its comprehensive coverage of historical events and themes that span centuries and continents. Let’s delve into what students tackle in their studies:
Paper 1: Thematic Study and Historic Environment (30% of the grade)The paper is worth 30%
Choose one of:
Crime and punishment in Britain, c1000–present and Whitechapel, c1870–c1900: crime, policing and the inner city.
: Medicine in Britain, c1250–present and The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches.
Warfare and British society, c1250–present, and London and the Second World War, 1939–45.
 Migrants in Britain, c800-present, and Notting Hill, c1948-c1970. (first assessment 2022)
Paper 2: Period Study and British Depth Study (40% of the grade)worth 40%
One of the following that focuses on british history
 Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88
 The reigns of King Richard I and King John, 1189–1216
Henry VIII and his ministers, 1509–40
 Early Elizabethan England, 1558–88.
AND one of the following period study options: please not, there is no restriction on the combinations
 Spain and the ‘New World’, c1490–c1555
British America, 1713–83: empire and revolution
: The American West, c1835–c1895
: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91
: Conflict in the Middle East, 1945–95.
Paper 3: Modern Depth Study (30% of the grade)Worth 30%
Students take one of the following modern depth studies:
 Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39
Mao’s China, 1945–76
The USA, 1954–75: conflict at home and abroad.
Why Choose History for Home Education?
History is ideal for students who are not only passionate about understanding the past but also those who are willing to commit time to extensive reading and research. It enhances critical thinking, comprehension, and analytical skills. In our live lessons, we focus on interactive learning, encouraging students to engage actively with the material, participate in discussions, and connect historical themes to modern-day issues.
Tips for Teaching and Learning History at Home:
Structured Learning:Â Create a consistent schedule that allows for deep focus on each historical period and theme.
Utilise Resources:Â Leverage textbooks, historical documents, documentaries, and online databases. Edexcel offers a plethora of materials that are particularly useful.
Interactive Sessions:Â Make use of discussions, debates, and project-based learning to make history come alive.
Assessment Practice:Â Regularly engage in mock exams and essay writing to build comfort with the exam format and expectations.
Conclusion:
Teaching GCSE History as part of home education in the UK is both a privilege and a challenge. It requires a considerable time commitment from students and teachers alike. However, the depth of knowledge gained and the skills developed are incredibly valuable, making it a worthwhile endeavour for those with a keen interest in history. For those of you who join my free live lessons, I look forward to exploring the past and its many lessons with you.
This is the brand of book i use when planning my lessons, and i recommend using this book
