History tutoring explained

The History ladder

GCSE History

GCSE History at most boards has four study units across two written papers: a thematic study (broad change over time on a topic like Medicine through time or Crime and Punishment), a period study (a defined period like Germany 1890-1945 or USA 1954-75), a depth study (Elizabethan England, Weimar and Nazi Germany), and either a British depth study or a historical environment / local site study.

Assessment combines source-evaluation questions, interpretation analysis (what later historians have said about events), explanation questions (causes, consequences, significance), and extended essay questions (typically 12-16 marks each). Coursework was removed from GCSE History in the 2017 reforms, so all assessment is now exam-based.

A-level History

A-level History runs two written papers covering a breadth study (longer time period, e.g. Tudors 1485-1603, Russia 1855-1964) and a depth study (a shorter, more detailed period). On top of that sits a substantial Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) coursework essay worth around 20% of the grade: typically 3,500-4,500 words on a research question chosen within board parameters.

What tutoring focuses on

Source analysis

The single most-coached technique. The mark scheme rewards a structured framework: identify content, analyse provenance, integrate contextual knowledge, then reach a substantiated judgement on usefulness, reliability or value. Many students drift into paraphrase or generic context without explicit source engagement, and tutors drill the framework systematically.

Essay structure and AO targeting

History essays are graded against AO1 (knowledge), AO2 (source analysis) and AO3 (interpretations). Strong essays address each AO explicitly, with sustained argument supported by evidence. Tutors coach the thesis statement, paragraph structure (each paragraph making a discrete argument with evidence), use of historiographical interpretations, and a considered conclusion.

NEA coursework support (A-level)

The most-tutored A-level History component. Tutoring here helps with research question framing, source selection (the NEA usually requires both contemporary and historiographical sources), structural planning, and draft feedback. Schools assign supervisors, but their availability and skill varies, and external NEA tutoring routinely lifts essays by 5-10 marks out of 40.

Timed-writing technique

Both GCSE and A-level History exams are time-pressured. Students need to plan and write under exam conditions repeatedly. Tutoring builds timed-essay practice, planning discipline (5 minutes plan, 30-40 minutes write), handwriting stamina, and the judgement to move on from a sub-question.

Choosing a History tutor

Confirm the period first. A-level Tudor breadth specialists differ meaningfully from Cold War or Russia specialists, so find someone who knows the specific topics on your child's spec. Confirm the board and module choices too, since AQA's Russia 1917-91 isn't quite the same as Edexcel's Russia 1855-1964 in topic boundaries or emphases. For NEA support, ask about previous NEA supervision, particularly in the period your child plans to research. For source analysis, ask the tutor to walk through a sample source question: strong tutors lead with framework, weaker ones with content. On essay-marking depth, a tutor who returns marked essays with detailed AO-targeted comments outperforms one who only discusses essays verbally.