History

 ‘ A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.’ Marcus Garvey

Intent

History is central to children’s understanding of the past, and how events within history have shaped their lives today and will influence their future. By the end of their time at our school our Year 6 historians will have developed a deep and broad knowledge of local, British and world history. The children will be equipped with the skills that will enable them to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement. They will understand the historical concepts of chronology, change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and the significance of events and their impact on the future. They will use historical terms and vocabulary accurately and effectively. Our curriculum considers our local area; what it is now and what it has been through history and how our villages and their surroundings have been shaped over time. Making the most of our wonderful locality is paramount.

They will know how to use a wide range of historical sources to enable them to research their own lines of enquiry. Historical learning experiences will be inspire our children's curiosity to know more about the past and instil in them a positive attitude to learning. They will take away with them a respect for diversity, social responsibility and a sense of how events from the past have shaped their future.

Implementation

As a school, we maintain strong links to the National Curriculum guidelines to ensure all aspects, knowledge and skills of History are being taught across all year groups. We use progression grids to ensure there is clear skills, knowledge and vocabulary progression throughout school. Our curriculum is taught on a two-year cycle (Year A and Year B) and within phases (Years R/1, 2, Years 3/4 and Years 5/6). 

Where appropriate we use historical artefacts, visitors, workshops and visits to excite and intrigue our children to find out more about events and people from the past. We aim to give our children as much understanding as possible about what is was like to be around at a particular period in history by having practical  lessons and using real artefacts and images where possible. Plan Bee resources are used for some units to provide additional resources to support staff. We will use assessment for learning to ensure all lessons are relevant and will help to plan for next steps. Subject co-ordinators are given regular time to ensure resources are kept up to date, to monitor subject across the school, create action plans and to provide subject feedback to SLT as appropriate.

Foundation subjects are assessed at the end of each unit stating whether children are working towards, at or exceeding age-related expectations with next steps. This is then used to make sure all children are continuing to make progress and can feed into the next unit's planning and is shared with their next class teacher. 

Impact

Through the high quality first teaching of History taking place we will see the impact of the subject in different ways. Through pupil voice children will be able to talk about the skills and knowledge they have acquired. Children will be engaged in History lessons and want to find out more. 

Work will show that a range of topics is being covered, cross curricular links are made where possible and that the history curriculum is inclusive of all pupils using lens of the SEN pupils to ensure planning meets the needs of the class.

The school environment will be history rich through displays, resources, vocabulary etc.

As historians, children will learn lessons from history to influence the decisions they make in their lives in the future. Assessments and monitoring will show standards in History will be high and will match standards in other subject areas.