History
'People without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.' (Marcus Garvey)
INTENT
Our history curriculum has been designed to ensure that each and every child gains a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world by offering stimulating and awe-inspiring history experiences with our Catholic values at its heart. It is designed to meet the needs of the pupils at St Mary and St Andrew’s, not only by focusing on appropriate subject specific knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum, but by giving opportunities to acquire the skills of a historian through a carefully planned and sequenced progression of learning. Our aspirational curriculum intends to develop individual and collaborative learning experiences; a positive growth mindset; a sense of responsibility and provide challenges that take learning beyond the classroom. Our intention is to enrich the children’s culture capital through wider experiences of history appreciation.
IMPLEMENTATION
Our history curriculum plan has been designed to ensure a sequence of skills, knowledge and understanding is acquired through a spiral program. We ensure all pupils in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two study a minimum of one hour of history per week.
Staff are supported to deliver high quality lessons which begin with revision of previous learning before progressing onto new learning. History vocabulary is prioritised and embedded within lessons through our teaching and Working Walls. AFL within lessons is strong and informs future planning. Inclusion is a key priority and the presentation of all information make learning accessible for all.
In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 History Lessons focus on developing ‘Knowledge and Know-how’, Historical skills and understanding how to work as Historians. Children are offered real-life experiences and learn about history in an active and creative way, making connections with prior historical learning and other subject areas such as Geography and Science. We use Lancashire’s Museum Loans service to give children a first-hand experience to handle artefacts and provide them with further relevant and contextual learning. We look to plan educational visits to enhance learning. Our curriculum is enriched with many cultural capital opportunities.
Our curriculum is implemented in year groups and sometimes key stages. The documents below show you the expectations we have for our children in each academic year; we make sure that by the end of KS1 all the work in YR, Y1 and Y2 is covered. By the end of Y4, all the work laid out in Y3 and Y4 is covered and finally, all remaining ks2 work is fully completed by the end of Y6.
IMPACT
Children will have developed the historical knowledge and skills to help them explore, navigate and understand the world around them and their place in it. Children’s knowledge and skills will develop progressively as they move through the school, not only to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but so that they gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Pupils should be curious to know more about the past, learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, consider evidence, sift through arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. When children leave our school, we aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed further in history and instil a passion for historical enquiry.
By the end of EYFS, children will: Know the meaning of new and old. They will begin to compare past and present events in their own lives, those of their families and other people they know. They will also be able to sequence events using language relating to time.
By the end of KS1: Previous learning will be built upon further as children develop an awareness of the past and know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework. They will be able to make comparisons by identifying similarities and differences between life in different historical periods and recall some significant people from events beyond living memory.
By the end of KS2, children will: Have developed a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history noting connections, contrasts and trends over time. They will be able to use the appropriate historical vocabulary to describe change, cause, similarity and difference when discussing significant historical periods, events or people and construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of historical information.
Let's do this together!
Here are a great selection of resources to help you at home:
BBC Bitesize - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zkqmhyc
History Association - https://www.history.org.uk/primary
The British Museum - http://www.teachinghistory100.org/browse/curriculum/3/