New history GCSE delayed as teachers 'not confident'

The new history GCSE has been pushed back from September 2025 to 2026 due to teachers being not ready to deliver it

A new-look history GCSE due to be introduced in September will be delayed for a year, teachers have been told.

Qualifications Wales said it would now be taught from September 2026 because many teachers were "not ready or confident" in delivering it, meaning a likely negative impact on learners.

The change is part of an overhaul of all GCSEs under the new curriculum for Wales.

But Dr Huw Griffiths, senior education lecturer at the University of Trinity Saint David, called the announcement "misleading" and "almost demeaning to history teachers throughout Wales".

Speaking on BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme, he added he had "spoken to [several] history heads" via social media and said some were "furious" with the way they had been described.

Dr Griffiths said the real issue was with the content of the new course which, according to Qualifications Wales, promises to "focus on Welsh history and a broadening of the range of eras and topics covered".

He feared that, while "the history of the USA or rise of the Nazis" would be preferred for many schools' modern studies quota, Wales' history would be mainly relegated to events in the Middle Ages.

"In my opinion that would kill the subject in terms of young people's interest," said Dr Griffiths.

The Welsh government said the extra year would ensure that learners get the best possible learning experience when the new qualification is introduced.

A statement added the decision to delay the GCSE was reached collectively with Qualifications Wales and WJEC after listening to the views of partners, such as directors of education and the teaching unions.

Margo Farbrace, a former secondary school PE teacher, said the delays were an example of teachers "not having enough to get their hands" around issues they need to teach.

Neil Butler from the NASUWT teaching union welcomed the new timescale and said teachers needed more time to plan.

Mr Butler said: "Teachers' workloads are already unmanageable and adding extra pressure is not ethical or productive.

"Teachers and pupils will benefit massively from this extra year of development."

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the Association of Directors of Education in Wales (ADEW) also agreed the decision to delay was a good thing.

Margo Farbrace, a former secondary school PE teacher, said teachers "never have time to prepare"

Sarah Hopkins, executive head teacher of Blessed Carlo Acutis school in Merthyr Tydfil county, said the delay meant there was enough time to prepare for history changes "as long as the specifications are considered".

"Whilst the expert groups have been established to look at these specifications, the people who are actually going to be at the chalk face, as it were, they're the ones who have raised significant concerns. I think the voices have been heard," she said.

Ms Hopkins said staff "will always go above and beyond, whatever school you go to" but for them, the specifications were made available in the main in December and "staff have been working on them through twilight sessions".

"There's still a significant amount of work to do," she added.

Last year it was announced that a new sciences GCSE would be introduced 12 months later than planned, while those for a British sign language GCSE were also suspended.

Sarah Hopkins, says teachers' voices "have been heard"

In its letter to schools, Qualifications Wales said unions and ADEW in Wales had raised concerns that the scale of the change and workload facing history teachers was greater than in other subjects.

It said it had listened to concerns and delayed the introduction of GCSE history until September 2026, when a second wave of subjects will be phased in.

Qualifications Wales said the decision to move the first teaching date was reached collectively by Qualifications Wales, the Welsh government and WJEC, in response to stakeholder feedback.

"Due to the scale of the changes to the content and associated workload for GCSE History - compared with that of other subjects - extending preparation time will ensure that teachers delivering the subject from September 2026 will be prepared to teach this brand-new qualification," they said.

"The revised timeline is being communicated now to provide clarity to practitioners, and to help those learners making their GCSE options choices this term to make informed choices."

In a statement, WJEC said it understood the concerns raised and will continue to work with teachers in the delivery of the new GCSE History.

It said: "This decision to delay the first teaching will provide teachers with additional preparatory time to introduce the new GCSE History."

They said the new qualification would support the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales, with a greater focus on Welsh history and a broadening of the range of historic eras.

"Alongside the additional preparatory time, WJEC will support teachers in the delivery of the new qualification through a comprehensive schedule of free nationwide and online professional learning," they added.