Maximising Student Achievement in AQA GCSE History

Course Code: T0357 £289.00

ABOUT THIS COURSE

This brand-new practical and insight-driven course is designed to help history teachers confidently guide their students to success at both Grades 4-5 and 8-9 in AQA GCSE History. Led by experienced examiner Alex Anderson, the course will provide clear, accessible strategies for understanding mark schemes, refining exam technique, and improving extended writing and source analysis. You will leave with practical classroom-ready materials, targeted revision exercises, and proven techniques to help students achieve their full potential. 

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

  • The course will look in detail at the papers and markschemes to identify implications for teachers and students
  • Analysis of mark schemes will be used to develop profiles for levels in the mark schemes and for Grades 4-5 and 8-9
  • Materials will be provided with student-friendly terminology and exercises for revision and answers at Grades 4-5 and 8-9
  • Techniques for developing extended writing, tackling source-based questions and interpretations will be provided

PROGRAMME

10.00am: Getting the basics right
  • Understanding the AQA mark scheme: statistical insights, grade profiles, and level descriptors.
  • Making assessment criteria student-friendly and engaging students in the process.
  • Developing key GCSE skills from Years 7-11, including source analysis and interpretation.
  • Using sources effectively to build contextual knowledge, chronology, and exam technique.
11.15am: Break
11.35am: Developing Written Responses (16 and 12 mark questions)
  • Focus on example material from different units from paper 1 and paper 2 including USA, Health and Conflict and Tension.
  • Structuring answers effectively using Levels of Response and templates.
  • Practical class exercises, revision strategies, and content-focused techniques.
  • Examiner insights, tips for high-scoring answers, and using specimen scripts.
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Tackling Source and Interpretation Questions
  • Effective techniques for tackling source-based and interpretation questions.
  • Structured answer templates and strategies for handling content.
  • Examiner tips and insights using specimen scripts.
2.15pm: Break
2.25pm: The Thematic Study and Historic Environment
  • Focus on Health & Norman England in paper 2 and how to maximise achievement in these units.
  • Helping students make connections across the Thematic Study.
  • Effective revision strategies and techniques for tackling ‘factor’ questions.
  • Examiner insights and use of specimen scripts.
  3.00pm: Depart
GCSE - Code: T0357

Maximising Student Achievement in AQA GCSE History

COURSE LEADER

Alex Anderson is an experienced Head of Humanities and Senior Examiner based in the North East of England and has been teaching AQA GCSE History for 11 years. Throughout this time, she has worked with a wide range of students, securing excellent outcomes in three schools across the region.

She has been a Senior Examiner for AQA for the past seven years, working across various GCSE History units. She has expert insight into the course structure and grading criteria, allowing her to clearly explain how different grades can be achieved across the papers. As a result, she has supported other schools in improving their AQA History results and successfully implementing the specification. She has also contributed to GCSE History revision resources, having written a revision workbook for Hodder and developed additional materials for their website.

As a Course Leader, she is passionate about supporting teachers in breaking down barriers to learning and ensuring students achieve their full potential.

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Course Brochure