History

Intent

At The Willows Catholic Primary School, we aim to develop knowledgeable, curious and thoughtful historians who understand Britain’s past and the history of the wider world.

Our History curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build secure knowledge of significant people, events, societies and periods over time. Pupils develop an increasingly strong sense of chronology and learn to make connections between different periods of history.

We want pupils to understand important historical concepts such as change and continuity, cause and consequence, similarity and difference and historical significance.

Pupils also learn how we know about the past. They examine a range of historical sources, consider different interpretations and learn to use evidence to support their ideas.

Our aim is for pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically and develop well-reasoned judgements about the past. Through History, pupils also develop their understanding of the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and how the past has shaped the world in which they live today.

Implementation

History is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum from the Early Years to Year 6.

In the Early Years, children begin to develop an understanding of the past through their own experiences, family life, stories, photographs and significant events. They learn to recognise similarities and differences between the past and present and begin to use language associated with time and chronology.

In Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils study a broad range of periods and societies from British and world history. New learning builds upon what pupils already know so that their understanding of chronology, historical concepts and significant developments becomes increasingly secure.

Teachers explicitly teach the important knowledge and vocabulary within each unit. Pupils regularly revisit prior learning and make connections between different periods, people and events.

Historical enquiry is embedded throughout the curriculum. Pupils examine sources such as artefacts, photographs, written accounts, maps and other evidence. As they progress through school, they become increasingly able to consider the reliability and usefulness of evidence and recognise that accounts of the past can differ.

Pupils are taught to explain historical change, identify causes and consequences, compare societies and evaluate the significance of people and events. They use evidence to support increasingly detailed historical explanations and judgements.

Our curriculum is enriched through visits, local history, heritage projects and opportunities to learn from significant places and people. Where appropriate, links are made with subjects such as Geography, English and Science while maintaining History as a distinct academic discipline.

Assessment focuses on the important historical knowledge and understanding identified within each unit. Teachers use questioning, discussion, pupils’ work and retrieval of prior learning to identify what pupils have secured and where further teaching is required.

Teaching is adapted where necessary so that all pupils, including those with SEND, can access important historical knowledge while maintaining ambitious expectations.

Impact

The impact of our History curriculum is seen in pupils’ increasingly secure knowledge and understanding of the past.

As pupils progress through school, they should develop a stronger chronological framework and be able to place significant people, events and periods within it. They should make connections between different areas of historical learning and explain how and why societies have changed.

Pupils should be able to use historical concepts such as cause, consequence, change, continuity and significance to construct increasingly detailed explanations.

They should also become more confident in working with evidence. Pupils should be able to examine sources, ask questions, identify what evidence can tell us and recognise that interpretations of the past may differ.

The History subject leader monitors the quality and impact of the curriculum through lesson visits, pupil discussions, scrutiny of pupils’ work and assessment information. This is used to identify strengths, address gaps and refine the curriculum.

By the end of Year 6, our aim is for pupils to leave The Willows with secure historical knowledge, a strong sense of chronology and the ability to think critically about evidence and interpretations. They should be well prepared for the next stage of their historical education and remain curious about the past.