History

For History, we follow guidance from the National Curriculum to organise our topics and wherever possible aim to make connections with our local area as well making relevant links to the children’s lives today. During their school lives, children will cover a great range of of topics. Throughout KS1 children will study changes within living memory, events beyond living memory, the lives of significant individuals and important local & historical events. When children progress into KS2 they will study Local, British and World history, this will include changes in Britain, the Roman Empire, British settlements, Anglo-Saxons & Vikings, early civilizations, Ancient Greece and local history.

During History our children are encouraged to pose and discuss questions rooted in different periods of history in order to gain understand and to explore key moment of importance from the past. This could include things like:

• How does punishment in the Roman times compare to the Anglo-Saxon era? Which is more barbaric? Was it right for nobles to receive lesser punishment than ordinary people and slaves? (Year 5/6 – Crime and punishment unit)
• Why did the Titanic not have enough life boats? How did they decide who got to live? Is this fair? (Year 3/4 – Significant turning point in British History beyond 1066 – The Titanic)
• Why did the house burn so quickly? Why did the fire spread easily? ( Year 1/2 - The great fire of London)
• Why do penguins live near the water? What would you wear in the Antarctic? (EYFS – The Arctic/Antarctica)

Where ever possible classes are encouraged to make these lessons active and hands on as children statistically take in more of their learning when they are submerged in the time period as opposed to being told about it. This year classes have been working on creating memorable moments, this could include trips, dress up days, visitors, outdoor lessons or any wow moment which will grip the children in their learning on the topic

History Curriculum Map

Progression

Intent

To encourage curiosity of the past both locally and worldwide.

To create memorable learning experiences which capture children’s passion for the subject

Produce high level planning to ensure topic knowledge is covered and more importantly retained by children.

Implementation

Producing creative/active lessons

Use of Kapow scheme of Work.

Collaborative planning to maximise ideas and knowledge base.

Children challenged through questions, discussion and debates about life in the past.

Children given ‘Real life’ snippets of the past through exploration of time periods or events in history.

Flexible and adaptable planning to ensure in depth understanding of key moments and questions in each topic of study. Teachers will prioritise key learning moments which form the basis of the topic over general coverage of a whole time period. Focusing on links that can be made, similarities, difference and key questions.

Impact

Children can experience the past.

Children use passion and excitement to help them achieve their potential in History.

Children are motivated to discover more beyond the curriculum.

Children retain information and can compare between periods of history and today.