Why study GCSE History? (Year 9)

GCSE choices shouldn't be made on syllabus details alone. This lesson plan will help you to show Year 9 students whether History is the right GCSE choice for them, drawing on the jobs it leads to, the skills it builds, and the routes it opens up.

This lesson is designed to be delivered in 30 minutes as a teacher-led classroom activity.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 4

This activity is suitable for Year 9 and features careers linked to the following subjects:

  • History

This is one of three lesson plans designed for Year 9 History teachers:

These lesson plans will help you show students how History connects to their future careers.

We recommend using this lesson plan at the beginning of the spring term, as students approach their GCSE choices. It builds on the two earlier lesson plans and draws them together to help students make an informed decision. Using all three in sequence gives students a fuller picture: the careers History leads to, the skills it builds, and why it's worth choosing at GCSE.

Learning objectives

  • Students will understand what studying GCSE History involves.
  • Students will recognise the transferable skills History builds.
  • Students will see how History connects to a wide range of careers.

Before the lesson

  • You will need a computer connected to the internet and a classroom screen.
  • Open the What can you do with History? page and have it ready on the screen.
  • Review the page in full so you know what's in each section.
  • Be ready to describe your school's GCSE History syllabus.

During the lesson

1. Recap: jobs and skills (5 mins)

  • Ask students to recall what they learned from the earlier lesson activities:
    • What jobs use History?
    • What skills does History build?
  • Write their answers on the board as a quick recap.

2. Walking through the page (15 mins)

  • Bring up the What can you do with History? page on the classroom screen.
  • Show students the table of contents so they see the shape of what's on the page.
  • Walk through the key sections together, unpacking why each one matters for their GCSE decision:
    • History at GCSE - What the course covers in general.
    • Subjects that pair with History - Which other GCSE choices work well alongside it.
    • Where History can take you next - How GCSE leads into A-Level and beyond.
  • Briefly outline your school or college's GCSE syllabus, exam board, and assessment methods.

3. Is History right for you? (10 mins)

  • Ask students to think about whether GCSE History is a good choice for them.
  • Prompt them with questions:
    • Do you enjoy studying History?
    • Do the skills History builds interest you?
    • Do any of the jobs History leads to appeal to you?
    • Does History pair well with the other subjects you're considering?
  • Close by reminding students to choose subjects they enjoy. Interest and engagement are what lead to good results, and good results open doors.

After the lesson

  • Share the What can you do with History? page with students and their parents/carers:
    • www.coffeewith.xyz/subjects/what-can-you-do-with-history
  • Encourage parents/carers to explore the page with their child and to discuss the contents.
  • Encourage parents/carers to also explore related videos and careers with their child.
  • Use the School Tools / Activities feature to record the lesson activity:
    • Activity name: Year 09 - Why study GCSE History?
    • Activity type: Linking curriculum learning to careers