Intent

What are we trying to achieve?

The starting point for the History curriculum is the children.  Literacy and language form the basis of all learning and from this children develop historical knowledge and skills through a connected and language rich curriculum.

We aim for our children to be; successful learners, responsible and rights respecting citizens and confident individuals.
 

Implementation

How do we organise this?

Our History curriculum uses the 2014 National Curriculum as our learning framework. The Cornerstones Curriculum breaks down the National Curriculum Programmes of Study into a progressive programme of learning through challenging Imaginative Learning Projects.

Cornerstones enables children to learn about history in a cross curricular way; ILP’s set history in context with other areas such as Geography and science, enabling learning to take place in a variety of ways.

History is introduced to the children using an engaging experience or stimulus for the beginning of the learning. Skills are developed in a creative way and children work towards completing an innovative challenge at the end of the topic, and answer the ‘big question’ that has been set.  Children are increasingly challenged throughout the year groups and phases.

In Reception history is part of the Understanding of the World strand of Development Matters. Children are encouraged to talk about their place in the world, families and past and present events.
 

Impact

How do we know it is successful?

Planning, evidence, teacher and pupil voice in History are monitored regularly. They are evaluated and reflected upon to ensure that there is progression in skills, knowledge and subject specific language across year groups and phases. As children move through the school there is a clear picture of the progression of skills and the broadening of historical knowledge; for example, during reception children talk about families and homes, by Year 1 learning extends to homes in the past, Year 2 learn about castles, Year 3 find out about the Romans in Britain and Year 4 about Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots. In year 5 children extend their knowledge to learn about one of the earliest civilisations, Ancient Egypt. In year 6 the children learn what life was like in World War 2. Children are building on skills and knowledge through the history curriculum. Children have the opportunity to share and celebrate new learning and language with their work and assemblies. They work towards being able to answer a ‘big question’ at the end of their project.

History Curriculum Overview

History Progression
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Chronology
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Information
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Knowledge & Understanding
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Sources