History at Checkendon Primary School

Intent: why we teach history
Our vision to unlock the unique voice within each child, fostering a lifelong aspiration of learning excellence, lies at the heart of the Checkendon Church of England (A) Primary School history curriculum. Through a carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich curriculum, we aim to develop pupils’ curiosity, critical thinking, and understanding of how the past has shaped the present within a caring Christian community.

Rooted in our values of respect, integrity, compassion, courage, and hope, we encourage pupils to explore human stories from diverse perspectives, developing empathy, moral reflection, and a sense of identity in God’s world.

Our history curriculum is designed to:

• Develop chronological understanding, historical knowledge, and enquiry skills.
  Encourage pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, and develop informed judgements.
• Explore significant people, events, and periods in British and world history, fostering respect for different cultures and viewpoints.
• Ensure all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, achieve success in line with their peers.
• Reflect our Christian values:
  o Respect for different cultures, experiences, and interpretations of the past.
  o Integrity in analysing sources and drawing conclusions based on evidence.
  o Compassion for people and communities across time.
  o Courage to challenge assumptions and engage with complex issues.
  o Hope inspired by learning from the past to build a better future. 

Implementation: how we teach history

• We follow a progressive, enquiry-based curriculum designed around key historical concepts such as chronology, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and significance.
• Each unit builds on prior knowledge and vocabulary, allowing children to revisit and deepen understanding over time.
• Teachers use high-quality resources, artefacts, texts, and primary sources to bring history to life and promote historical enquiry.
• Pupils are encouraged to make cross-curricular connections, particularly with geography, art, and English, to enrich their understanding.
• Fieldwork, visitors, and trips - such as museum visits, local history walks, and historical role-play - provide memorable learning experiences.

Impact: outcomes and evidence
Academic Impact

• Assessment is carried out through Sonar Small Steps, tracking pupils’ progress in both substantive knowledge (“what we know”) and disciplinary skills (“how we know it”).
• Pupils develop secure chronological understanding and can make connections across periods and themes.
• They confidently use historical vocabulary and sources to explain change, continuity, and significance.

Personal Development and Christian Character

• Pupils demonstrate curiosity, compassion, and integrity when exploring diverse histories and moral questions.
• They recognise how courage, hope, and moral choices have shaped societies and individuals throughout time.

Cultural and Social Impact

• History strengthens pupils’ cultural identity and sense of belonging in their community, nation, and the wider world.
• Through studying global and local history, pupils develop empathy, respect, and responsibility as future citizens.
• By the time they leave Checkendon, pupils are confident, thoughtful, and reflective historians, ready to contribute positively to society.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

• Progress and attainment are monitored termly using Sonar Small Steps, alongside work scrutiny and pupil voice, to ensure ongoing improvement.
• Governors and subject leaders monitor impact to ensure alignment with the school’s Christian vision and Ofsted’s priorities: curriculum depth, inclusion, character development, and engagement.