History

History - our intent

It is our intent at Checkendon Primary School for the History element of the school curriculum to inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Topics are informed by the National Curriculum and are also sensitive to children’s interests, as well as the context of the local area. It is also our intent to deliver a History curriculum which is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more.

As a result of this, the children at Checkendon Primary School will:

• Possess a secure understanding of the chronology of the British Isles and other important periods of History
• Discover links and connections to the History they learn and the wider community and locality
• Increase and develop their historical skills, concepts, knowledge and attitudes.
• Increase their understanding of the present in the context of the past.
• Develop and use their skills in enquiry, analysis, evaluation and argument.

History - our implementation

Our History curriculum covers the skills outlined in the National Curriculum through broad, challenging and inspiring topics. A topic-based approach is used to deliver the content within a meaningful context and wherever possible cross curricular links are exploited, particularly links with geography, British values, RE and SMSC. However, teachers make it explicit to the children that they are learning history skills and encourage them to think like ‘historians.’

At Key Stage 1: topics taught include learning about a range of famous people in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements. For example, Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, Jessica Watkins and Mary Anning. These are chosen carefully to ensure pupils learn about individuals of both genders and from diverse backgrounds. Other topics consist of changes within living memory and events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally including the Titanic Voyage and the Discovery of the Americas.

Key Stage 2: The National Curriculum for History outlines that: Pupils should continue to develop chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study. They should note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms. They should understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.

At Checkendon Primary School a long term plan, with carefully constructed units of work covering the full range of skills, is in place to achieve this history is taught within each class following a two-year cycle. Medium term plans ensure coverage of both the required knowledge and the subject specific skills. Cross curricular learning is planned to inspire, engage and challenge pupils in response to their needs. Children are given a wide variety of experiences both in the classroom and out. We encourage school visits and visitors into school to enable the children to gain first hand experiences to support their learning. One element in the development of the pupils’ communication skills is for pupils to apply their writing skills within an extended written piece linked directly to their history theme. Pupils are encouraged to think like historians and develop their skills including historical enquiry. There is a strong emphasis on developing children’s other skills such as understanding of chronology, interpretations of evidence, changes within a time and across time periods and cause and consequence. The History units taught have been developed to help children appreciate their own identity and the challenges in their time. It will help them understand the process of change over time and significant developments

History - our intent

History assessment is ongoing to inform teachers with their planning, lesson activities and differentiation. Summative assessment is completed by all class teachers to inform leaders of individuals’ progress or skills that still need embedding further. History is monitored throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies, such as book monitoring, lesson observations and pupil interviews to discuss learning and establish the impact.

By the end of Key Stage Two, in History, all pupils are expected to have a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history. Pupils should note connections, contrasts and trends over time, developing appropriate use of historical terms through the periods they study. Through the use of historically valid questions, pupils will be able to identify the impacts of change, cause, similarity and difference, and significance. Finally, pupils will understand that knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources. All children in the school will be able to speak confidently about their geography learning, skills and knowledge using subject specific vocabulary.