Teaching and Learning History at KS4 - GCSE History

ks3 classroom Effective teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 needs to combine secure historical knowledge with the skills and understanding students require to succeed at GCSE. High-quality GCSE history teaching should help students make connections, analyse evidence, evaluate interpretations and construct convincing historical arguments, while preparing them confidently for the demands of assessment.

This section provides practical guidance and classroom strategies for effective KS4 and GCSE history teaching. Explore advice on the teaching process, historical enquiry, chronology and interpretations, alongside fit-for-purpose teaching strategies, ideas for excellent history lessons and the effective use of ICT and film. The aim is to help teachers make GCSE history rigorous, engaging and memorable while developing the knowledge, historical thinking and examination confidence students need to succeed.

8 retrieval tasks that really work in history

This list is by no means exhaustive nor is it linked to just one key stage. You can think of even more, I’m sure. For that reason I have kept…

Evaluating websites in history at KS3-5: 3 pieces of top advice

Students are too trusting of what they read on the Internet. Most striking, they implicitly trust Google to verify sources for them–whatever Google lists first must be a good source….

‘100’ great teaching ideas for teaching history at KS4

This section offers a veritable treasure trove of imaginative tried-and-tested ideas which will be a source of inspiration for you in your GCSE teaching. As there is some overlap with…

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Teaching chronology at Key Stage 4

The advent of the new GCSE history specifications for first teaching in September 2016 has forced us to consider how we help students to develop chronological understanding over different time…

Interpretations in GCSE history at Key Stage 4

Having worked so hard to develop pupils understanding of historical interpretations at Key Stage 3, many history teachers feel short-changed when it comes to Key Stage 4. Not only is…

Teaching historical enquiry at Key Stage 4

Some of the best GCSE lessons I have ever seen have been enquiry-led where students have been given a little more scope to raise their own questions, research independently and…

Fit for purpose teaching strategies at Key Stage 4

This section has highlighted a number of issues relating to GCSE teaching that you might identify with and be interested in seeing other talented teachers’ solutions. It does not claim…

The teaching process in history at Key Stage 4

With so much emphasis placed on the three-part lesson, due largely to the National Strategy, it is tempting to follow that simplistic model at Key Stage 4. Many do, and…

Views of learners in history at KS4

Over the past six or seven years interest in the pupil or student voice has soared. We are now fortunate in having the data from two major surveys conducted by…

Roles for Learners: Key Stage 4

When so much of Key Stage 4 time is spent making sure that students know enough to answer any GCSE question that might arise, it is tempting not to stray…

’50’ imaginative learning activities for Key Stage 4

We all know that the learning experience for students at Key Stage 4 could be more varied in some schools. Students have told us that, time and again. The lessons…

The learning approach in history at Key Stage 4

Learning in Key Stage 4 history lessons is nearly always good but rarely is it outstanding. Because we are so aware of the examination requirements and the need to induct…

What to look for in your excellent history lessons: Your starter for 12

This is not meant to be painting by numbers. You will see from the detail of the many outstanding lessons featured on this site that there are many and varied…

Teaching and learning