Curriculum: History
The Intent of our History Curriculum
Our intent is that our teaching of History will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim for it to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past and to know more about the past. We aim to enable children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. Through the teaching of History we endeavour to teach children 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.
The Implementation of our History Curriculum
In Early Years, History is taught via the Early Learning Goals linked to the Specific Area ‘Understanding the World’. The majority of learning in this area occurs through adult intervention when the children are in continuous provision. However, during their time in Early Years the children will listen to stories set in different locations, engage in a unit titled ‘All About Me’ and participate in topic led work about the world they live in.
By the end of Early Years therefore, the children should be able to:
– Talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society;
– Know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class;
– Understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books read in class and storytelling.
In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 History Lessons focus on developing ‘Knowledge and Knowhow’, Historical skills and understanding how to work as Historians. Children have real life experiences and learn about History in an active and creative way, making connections with prior historical learning and other subject areas such as Geography and Science. We use heritage projects, visits to places of interest and visitors to school to provide further relevant and contextual learning, engaging members of the community in children’s learning and providing positive role models from the community for children to learn from.
The Impact of our History Curriculum
Outcomes in History and literacy books, evidence a broad and balanced history curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking and questioning which helps pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Pupils are curious to know more about the past. Pupils learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
Take a look at the Gallery below to see what our children have been getting up to…
Knowledge Organisers
At The Willows we use Knowledge Organisers to help our children, and staff, ensure the key objectives are covered.
Year 2 History Knowledge Organisers
Where I live and where I go to school
Significant People: Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole
Events beyond living memory
Year 3 History Knowledge Organisers
Year 4 History Knowledge Organisers
The Great Plague
Anglo Saxons and Vikings
Ancient Egypt
Useful Documents
Curriculum Map
Progression Document
EYFS
Year 5 Historical Space Autobiographies
We researched historical astronauts and cosmonauts and wrote a short autobiography for them. Then we had some fun with Talkr.
Year 6 WW1 History Visit
On Tuesday 14th December, Year 6 had a very special visit from Sergeant Powell, a World War 1 sergeant who was brought in to teach Year 6 about all things World War One and put them through their paces. The children learnt some simple drill steps on the parade ground,...
Year 3 Stonehenge
We have enjoyed finding out all about Stonehenge. Did you know that work on Stonehenge started around 5,000 years ago but it took over 1,000 years to build, in four long stages? Archaeologists beiieve that the final changes were made around 1,500BC, in the early...
Remembrance Day
On Sunday 14th November, Evie and James (our Head Girl and Head Boy) as well as Deborah and Katie (Deputy Head Girls) joined members of the public and other organisations from Kirkham to remember those who gave their lives for us during times of war. They represented...
