New developments in history

This section provides information on new developments affecting 3–19 history.

Hybrid history GCSE Pilot

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is embarking on a hybrid history GCSE pilot. This pilot offers the chance to trial new approaches to content and assessment as well as to explore ways of making links between history and related vocational areas.

A steering group, which included representatives from the subject associations, has worked on the draft framework and an awarding body will now develop this into a full qualification.

Up to 50 schools will be recruited for the pilot with first teaching starting in September 2006. A detailed evaluation will take place in 2008, before making this qualification available to all schools.

This pilot will:

• provide a lively and innovative history course for 14-16-year-olds that reflects the needs of pupils and current thinking in the subjects
• build effectively on pupils' learning in key stage 3 history and provide a constructive basis for study at advanced level
• offer a hybrid model which allows pupils to follow academic (general) and/or vocational pathways.

The qualification will build on existing good practice and may eventually offer schools an exciting alternative to the existing specifications.

14-16 humanities entitlement for all students

The government’s 14-19: opportunity and excellence sets out in its vision for a 14–19 phase that stretches all young people whatever their ability; that uses curriculum flexibility to motivate students and encourage achievement; and that encourages institutions to work together to deliver programmes suitable for each learner.

As a result, there have been a number of amendments to the current key stage 4 curriculum. These amendments include the introduction, for the first time, of an entitlement for all students to study humanities from 14–16.

What must schools do?

• Every school must make available to all students at least one course in the humanities that leads to a qualification that is approved under section 96.
• It is expected that schools will offer at least two courses in the humanities entitlement area and that they will continue to offer at least as wide a range of humanities courses as they do at present. It is expected that schools will offer courses in both geography and history.

QCA’s 14-19 learning website at www.qca.org.uk/14-19 provides further information on the changes to the key stage 4 curriculum.

Humanities specialist status for secondary schools

New music and humanities specialisms have been added to the existing list of specialisms. The humanities specialism is based around the key subjects of history, geography or English.

Taking one or more of these as core subjects, schools have the option to add the subjects of citizenship, classical civilisation, Latin, Greek, drama, humanities or religious education to make up a full complement of three specialist subjects.

Schools can choose one or more core subjects and up to two subsidiary subjects as the target-setting subjects within the specialism. For example, history, religious education and citizenship; geography, history and humanities; English, history and geography; or history, Greek and drama. At present there are 22 designated humanities colleges. In total, 14 of these cover history with five actually leading on history.

Full guidance on the specialism is available on the DfES specialist schools website, www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools. Additional information can also be found on the Specialist Schools Trust website, www.specialistschoolstrust.org.uk

14-19 learning website

QCA's new 14–19 learning website aims to cover all aspects of planning, teaching and learning within the 14–19 phase. It includes guidance and case studies on the implementation of Curriculum 2000, as well as new material.

One section deals with teaching the advanced level subjects. This will soon be supplemented by specific guidance, including teaching and learning in A level history.

This section will comprise:

• factual information about the range of A level history specifications available
• advice and suggestions on planning and teaching A level history
• case studies exemplifying good practice in 16–19 history
• guidance on standards for AS and A2 history, including examples of students' work.

The 14–19 learning website can be accessed at www.qca.org.uk/14-19