Curriculum statement
Intent:
Pupils will gain a coherent and secure knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It will inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. The curriculum will 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.
Implementation:
Key knowledge and skills are mapped out to ensure disciplinary and substantive knowledge is revisited and progressed throughout the key stage. Each history topic is established within a timeline to progress understanding of chronology. The curriculum is carefully constructed to build on and make links to prior learning. Key vocabulary is mapped across the school and explicitly taught. Planning ensures relevance to the locality of the school. Within each unit of work, children explore a key historical question which will develop their reasoning skills. Depth of study is supported by a wide range of primary sources such as visits to museums, historical sites, guest speakers, maps, photographs and artefacts. A wide range of teaching vehicles (including drama and art) is employed to engage pupils and develop curiosity and a love of history.
Impact:
Outcomes in History books evidence a broad and balanced curriculum which demonstrates coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. “I really enjoyed thinking about what we were doing in Britain compared to the rest of the world. We were still nomadic whilst the Ancient Egyptians were already writing!” – Sam, Y3. Children can recall and explain selected substantive concepts of history. They can use this knowledge to question, form opinions and justify. Children have gained an understanding of context, how history has influenced society today and can clearly articulate it.