History
History
National Curriculum 2014: a high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching should equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.
History is all around us. The study of history ignites children’s curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. Through finding out about how and why the world, our country, culture and local community have developed over time, children understand how the past influences the present.
History enables children to develop a context for their growing sense of identity and a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. What they learn through history can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values. Our intent, when teaching history, is to support and stimulate the children’s natural curiosity and creativity: centred on evidence, facts and imagination, in order for them to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.
Progression of knowledge and skills
Our history curriculum has been carefully designed to ensure that the key knowledge and skills for each topic have been identified to ensure progression across topics, as the children move through the school. From the children's earliest experiences of understanding the "past" in EYFS until they reach the end of year 6, they will have a chronological understanding of British history. They will be able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. In addition, they will study world history, such as the ancient civilisation of the Greek empire. To enable independent study and to further develop their research and historical disciplinary skills, the children in Year 6 study the seven wonders of the ancient world.
To broaden and deepen the children's historical understanding, cross curricular links are specifically planned for, particularly with literacy lessons enabling further contextual learning. The local area is fully utilised to ensure that the children understand the historical significance of the people and places in our town and wider community. Furthermore, school trips and visitors to the school provide further enrichment and learning opportunities for the children whilst studying history.
EYFS Year 6
Chronology
Inside and outside the classroom, timelines are used to strengthen the children's understanding of chronology so that they can build a story of the past.
History across the year groups
Whole School Projects
History Curriculum Overview & Progression Map
Resources
BBC Bitesize - KS2 History learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers organised by topic.
British Museum - This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.