LNF Cymru Literacy and numeracy for Wales

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GCSE History

History is a reading and writing GCSE: every unit asks learners to analyse and evaluate sources and interpretations, and both NEA enquiries require a planned, drafted and refined analytical answer that reaches a substantiated judgement. Numeracy is light and content-led, mainly handling chronology across long periods and reading statistical evidence such as mortality or unemployment figures. The biggest thing Key Stage 3 should build is the routine of reading a source closely, judging how useful and reliable it is, and turning that judgement into a structured paragraph.

Awarding body
WJEC
Level
Level 1 and Level 2
First taught
September 2026
Amount of literacy work
High
Amount of numeracy work
Low
Specification
Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
  • Unit 1: An in-depth study on Welsh history: Written examination 1 hour, 30%
  • Unit 2: An in-depth study on European and/or World history: On-screen non-examination assessment 3 hours, 20%, marked by WJEC
  • Unit 3: A study of a period in world history: Written examination 1 hour, 30%
  • Unit 4: A changing society: Non-examination assessment 4 hours 15 minutes, 20%, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC

Skills that use Vocabulary, spelling, grammar

  1. Using historical concepts and vocabulary precisely

    Assessed: In the exam and in coursework (NEA)

    AO2 rewards applying knowledge to the second-order concepts of cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and significance, which needs precise period vocabulary and linking language. No separate marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar are mentioned.

    Literacy: Vocabulary, spelling, grammar, Connectives and syntax

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils build a class glossary of medieval terms such as prince, charter and rebellion, and use "because" and "as a result" to link a cause to a consequence.
    Year 8
    Pupils sort cards on the Industrial Revolution in Merthyr and Aberdare into short-term and long-term causes and write sentences using "this led to" and "consequently".
    Year 9
    Pupils write a paragraph on the significance of the NHS for Wales, using the words continuity, change, turning point and impact correctly.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Section 3.1, AO2, page 56; Unit 1, Areas of content, page 13

    “Apply knowledge and understanding to historical concepts such as cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and significance”
    Progression step 3

    • I can use varied, appropriate and precise vocabulary including area of learning and experience/discipline-specific words for different purposes.

    • I can use an increasing range of connectives to organise my ideas in sentences, paragraphs and whole texts.

    Progression step 4

    • I have experienced a range of area of learning and experience/discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary, and can use them in my own communication.

    • I can use a range of connectives specifically when organising my ideas in whole texts for different purposes.

    Progression step 5

    • I can use a range of discipline-specific and general academic vocabulary accurately and precisely.

    • I can vary sentence structures to engage and sustain the reader’s interest and write with grammatical accuracy.

Good to know

Links with other qualifications

Source evaluation and bias overlap with Geography Unit 4, and extended analytical writing overlaps with English Language and Literature.

Source: WJEC GCSE History specification, Teaching from 2026, For award from 2028, Version 6, June 2026.