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Introducing new Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) qualifications: Geography, Global Citizenship and History.
Interview with Luka Hunter, International Academic Portfolio Manager, Pearson
We have recently launched a new suite of Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) qualifications.
This video has been designed provide you with information about the key features of the
new Geography, History and Global Citizenship specifications.
Before we go into detail about the new Geography, History and Global Citizenship specifications,
we wanted to give you a quick overview of some of the key changes to the whole suite
of Edexcel International GCSEs (9-1):
The first feature to highlight is that we have introduced a new 9-1 grading scale: With
9 as the top grade, to ensure we're really differentiating top performing students and
also providing greater differentiation in the middle of the range, with 3 grades; 4,
5 and 6, equivalent to the old grades B and C.
The second feature is that the qualifications are now more relevant for international students:
With an increased amount of international content, including the addition of more international
content topics and the use of local contexts where possible.
The third key feature to highlight is that have also made sure they continue to support
progression to further study and are fully comparable with new UK GCSEs: Developed with
the help of teachers and higher education representatives, they provide seamless progression
to further study, including A levels and beyond. They are also fully comparable with the new
UK GCSEs in terms of the content, level of demand and assessment standards.
Now Jonathan Wolton, Pearson Edexcel Subject Advisor for Geography and Global Citizenship
and Mark Battye, Pearson Edexcel Subject Advisor for History, will talk in more detail about
the updates to the new Geography and History specifications.
This is to support teachers to feel really confident delivering the new Edexcel International
GCSE (9-1) Geography and History specifications, from September 2017 onwards.
Why choose Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Geography and History qualifications?
Interview with Jonathan Wolton, Edexcel Geography Subject Advisor, Pearson
So you might be asking yourself, why choose Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Geography
or History qualifications?
One of the key things to highlight is that we've listened to feedback from all parts
of the international school community; including a large number of teachers. As a result, we've
made changes that will engage students and give them the skills to support progression
to further study of Geography and History, Plus a wide range of other subjects.
We've ensured that the Geography and History papers are accessible for students of all
ability ranges and learning styles. Our mark schemes for all specifications are also straightforward,
so that the assessment requirements are clear at the outset.
They are also an equivalent standard to Pearson's regulated Edexcel GCSE Geography and History
qualifications. This ensures that Edexcel International GCSEs (9-1) Geography and History
qualifications are recognised globally and provide learners with the same progression
routes.
Why choose Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Geography?
Dual focus on Physical and Human Geography: A new, two-paper model allows students to
focus on Physical and Human geography. The qualification will test knowledge and understanding,
as well as analytical, evaluation and fieldwork skills in both papers.
Engaging and accessible content: The content in both Paper 1 (Physical geography) and Paper
2 (Human geography) is engaging and accessible for all students. The material is appropriate
and relevant for progression, building understanding and awareness of a range of geographical concepts
and skills, including fieldwork.
Designed for international students: We have provided teachers with the option to localise
content through the fieldwork element of the qualification.
Broad and deep development of students' skills: The design of the new Edexcel International
GCSE (9-1) Geography qualification aims to extend students' knowledge by broadening and
deepening skills. For example, students will: Develop and apply a holistic range of knowledge
and understanding of geographical concepts and skills, including fieldwork.
Present and analyse data, draw conclusions and evaluate information from different sources.
Develop awareness of global issues and challenges and that, in moving towards a sustainable
future, people have different views and attitudes to the environment.
So why choose the Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Global Citizenship qualification?
Designed for international students: Students will develop an understanding of key changes
affecting societies across the world, enabling them to have a global outlook and understand
diverse points of view. For students who are internationally mobile, or wish to study and
work in fields that require a global outlook, this qualification will support them to become
global citizens, and understand how they can affect positive change.
Practical community action project: Students will be required to undertake a practical
community action project to enable them to apply citizenship knowledge, understanding
and skills in real life. They will have the opportunity to be active citizens through
tasks such as research, problem solving, advocacy and evaluation.
Develop useful transferable skills: The content is organised around the following key themes:
Politics and Governance, Economic Development and the Environment, Culture and Community,
and Technology. Teachers across humanities subjects will find the content engaging and
accessible to teach. Students will have an opportunity through this qualification to
explore topics that span the humanities, giving them a stronger base of knowledge and skills
with which to make decisions about future specialisms.
Broad and deep development of students' skills: The design of the revised International GCSE
aims to extend students' knowledge and understanding by broadening and deepening skills. For example,
students will: Develop skills of enquiry, analysis and evaluation
of different perspectives in relation to global themes and change.
Participate in local community actions and understand their impact on a range of scales
linked to global change and on societal impacts. Make interdisciplinary linkages to equip students
to successfully engage in a global society.
Teachers often ask me the following questions about the new Edexcel International GCSE (9-1)
Geography qualification.
What skills and case studies do I need to deliver?
We've signposted in the specification where you need to deliver a case study or a located
example and where you can integrate the geographical skills. This should help you in planning your
course.
What fieldwork options are available?
The specification clearly outlines what fieldwork options are available and lays out suggested
activities you can do in the field to ensure your students are prepared for the fieldwork
assessments.
Why choose Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Global Citizenship?
As part of our humanities offering, along with Geography and History, it's another choice
for students with perhaps a different interest or progression requirement. Designed for international
students, they'll develop an understanding of key changes effecting societies across
the world, enabling them to have a global outlook and understanding of diverse points
of view.
Perhaps for students who are internationally mobile or wish to work in fields that require
a global outlook, these qualifications will support them to become global citizens and
understand how they can effect positive change.
Students undertake a practical, community action project, where they'll get to apply
their citizenship and knowledge, understanding and skills in a real life context.
Top frequently asked questions about the Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Global Citizenship
qualification.
What progression routes are available?
Students can progress onto a range of humanities subjects, or they might have an interest in
progressing onto fields such as Law, Human Rights or Global Development.
Why choose Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) History?
Interview with Mark Battye, Edexcel History Subject Advisor, Pearson
Greater choice and flexibility: With no compulsory topics and no forbidden combinations, teachers
can choose areas of study that they'll enjoy teaching and that will best engage their students.
Designed for international students: We're ensured that our topic choices are diverse
and international, covering a broad geographical spread, with some brand new topics for those
looking to teach something new.
Broad and deep development of students' skills: The design of the revised International GCSE
aims to extend learners' knowledge and understanding by broadening and deepening skills. For example,
students will: Explain, analyse and make judgements about
historical events and periods studied using second order historical concepts.
Use a range of source material to comprehend, interpret and cross- refer sources.
Analyse and evaluate historical interpretations in the context of historical events studied.
Teachers often ask me the following questions about the new Edexcel International GCSE (9-1)
History specifications.
Which books can I use to teach the new specification?
Teachers want to know which books they can use to teach the new specifications. So we've
produced a comprehensive list of resources for each topic, including the new Pearson
Edexcel student History books and other relevant publications and websites.
We are also working on some free topic booklets, to support a range of topics that won't have
dedicated textbooks. For example, South Africa, Warfare and Japan in transformation.
Resources to support teachers to deliver the new Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Geography
and History qualifications with confidence
Interview with Ben Greshon, Senior Publisher, Global Schools, Pearson
We've developed a new suite of teacher and learner resources designed specifically to
support Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Geography and History specifications.
These resources include textbooks and digital support, and they've gone through a rigorous
development and review process and have been endorsed by Edexcel.
They include: a rich set of activities in every chapter
to support student progression; transferable skills, embedded throughout the
resources, and signposted explicitly, which supports their development;
and exam practice tests and exam style questions, to prepare students for the assessments.
Interview with Luka Hunter, International Academic Portfolio Manager, Pearson
We also wanted to take this opportunity to highlight that the new Geography and History
specifications are supported by a wider range of teaching and learning materials, resources
and training.
Support includes schemes of work, exemplar materials, ExamWizard, comprehensive textbooks,
interactive resources and Getting Ready to Teach, Teacher Training.
It also features detailed exam analysis with ResultsPlus: a service unique to Pearson that
provides free online in-depth mock and actual exam performance analysis, supporting teachers
to plan improvements in teaching and learning, driving attainment.
To find out more, please visit qualifications.pearson.com/edexcel-internationalgcse and download our Humanities subject guide.