History

Intent

The reasons behind the past causes the present and so the future. 

History should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past.  The Britannia History curriculum is designed so that pupils understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups.  Through making links to the local area and themselves, the curriculum supports children to gain a sense of their own identity within a social, political, cultural and economic background.

In line with the national curriculum 2014, the curriculum at Britannia aims to ensure that all pupils: Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world which helps to stimulate pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past; Are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement; Begin 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

Our History curriculum aims to excite the children and allow them to develop their own skills as historians. We encourage regular references to timelines and how topics fit together as well as a hands-on approach involving artefacts.  The curriculum has been developed to ensure that that the areas of history taught are closely linked to our locality, eg Industrial revolution.  In EYFS it is taught through the understanding of the world, people and communities, families, school, us and toys.

History is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge, vocabulary and skills of each topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. By the end of year 6, children will have a chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day. They are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this are studies of world history, such as the ancient civilisations of Greece and the Mayans.

The history curriculum is enhanced with the implementation significant events such as Remembrance and Black history month.  These have been planned sequentially to ensure progression throughout the school.  The school incorporate other significant events into the curriculum when they arise, be these locally or nationally.

Impact

Children show greater understanding and desire for learning within history.  Block teaching enables greater depth of learning and the children understand the impact of actions taken in the past.

At the end of each topic an assessment sheet is completed stating where each child is working with samples of work attached as evidence.

Children present what they have learnt at the end of a unit of work e.g. by presentation, model, book or mind map.

Observations, book looks, chats with children and presentations are used to monitor the history being taught across school.

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