Guidance

GCSE subject-level conditions and requirements for ancient history (2022)

Published 11 November 2021

Applies to England

Introduction

About this document

This document is part of a suite of documents which sets out the regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in 2022.

We have developed these requirements with the intention that GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) should provide:

• evidence of students’ achievements against demanding and fulfilling content
• a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment
• a basis for schools and colleges to be held accountable for the performance of all of their students, if required

Requirements set out in this document

This document sets out the GCSE Subject Level Conditions for Ancient History (2022). These conditions will come into effect at 09:30 on 12 November 2021 for all GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in Ancient History for Learners completing the qualification in 2022, except where the General Qualifications Alternative Awarding Framework applies.

It also sets out our requirements in relation to:

• interpretation of the content document - an awarding organisation must comply with these requirements under Condition GCSE(Ancient History)1.1(c)
• assessment objectives - awarding organisations must comply with these requirements under Condition GCSE(Ancient History)1.2

With respect to GCSE qualifications (graded from 9 to 1) in Ancient History in 2022, awarding organisations must also comply with:

• our General Conditions of Recognition, which apply to all awarding organisations and qualifications
• our GCSE Qualification Level Conditions
• all relevant Regulatory Documents.

With respect to GCSE qualifications in Ancient History taken by Learners completing the qualification in 2023 and after, an awarding organisation must continue to comply with the GCSE Subject Level Conditions and Requirements for Ancient History.

Subject Level Conditions

GCSE Subject Level Conditions for Ancient History

Condition GCSE(Ancient History) 1: Compliance with content requirements

GCSE(Ancient History )1.1

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Ancient History which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must -

1. (a) comply with the requirements relating to that qualification set out in the document published by the Secretary of State entitled ‘Ancient history GCSE subject content’, document reference DFE-00034-2016,
2. (b) have regard to any recommendations or guidelines relating to that qualification set out in that document, and
3. (c) interpret that document in accordance with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

GCSE(Ancient History)1.2

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Ancient History which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must comply with any requirements, and have regard to any guidance, relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for that qualification which may be published by Ofqual and revised from time to time.

Subject content requirements

Requirements in relation to subject content for GCSE Qualifications in Ancient History

The subject content for GCSE Qualifications (graded 9 to 1) in Ancient History is set out in the Department for Education’s Ancient History GCSE subject content, document reference DFE-00034-2016 (the ‘Content Document’).

Condition GCSE(Ancient History)1.1(c) requires awarding organisations to interpret the Content Document in line with any requirements, and having regard to any guidance, published by Ofqual.

We set out our requirements for the purposes of Condition GCSE(Ancient History)1.1(c) below.

Depth studies

An awarding organisation must interpret the Content Document as if a Learner is required to complete one depth study only.

Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives - GCSE Qualifications in Ancient History

Condition GCSE(Ancient History)1.2 allows us to specify requirements relating to the objectives to be met by any assessment for GCSE Qualifications in Ancient History.

The assessment objectives set out below constitute requirements for the purposes of Condition GCSE(Ancient History)1.2. Awarding organisations must comply with these requirements in relation to all GCSE Qualifications in Ancient History they make available.

Assessment objective	Description	Weighting
AO1	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the historical periods studied.	45%
AO2	Analyse and explain historical events and historical periods to arrive at substantiated judgements.	25%
AO3	Use, analyse and evaluate ancient sources within their historical context to make judgements and draw conclusions about: • historical events and historical periods studied • how the portrayal of events by ancient writers/sources relates to the historical contexts in which they were written/produced.	30%

In respect of each GCSE Qualification in Ancient History which it makes available, or proposes to make available, an awarding organisation must -

1. (a) ensure that the total mark for the qualification consists of -
   1. (i) marks allocated to assessment objectives AO1 to AO3 in line with the weightings outlined above (the ‘subject marks’), and
   2. (ii) marks used to credit the accuracy of Learners’ spelling, punctuation and grammar and their use of specialist terminology,
2. (b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that the number of marks available to credit the accuracy of Learners’ spelling, punctuation and grammar and their use of specialist terminology is equal to 5 per cent of the subject marks.