History

Intent

Our History Curriculum, which is in line with statutory requirements, seeks to meet the needs of our children by balancing spiritual, academic and physical development. For each of our children the balance between those elements, that best meet their needs, will be slightly different reflecting the uniqueness of the individual as part of God’s creation. Whilst being built on provision accessible to all, our curriculum retains the flexibility to be adapted to the individual in order to best support their development. The curriculum aims to teach the children to keep themselves safe and healthy, as unique and loved human beings who can contribute to community through service to others and to God.

To build a History curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding. To design a curriculum with appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum and Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children can reach and exceed their potential in line with the wider intent of our whole curriculum.

At St. Martin’s, History is taught as a distinct subject in Key Stage 1 and 2 and in EYFS it is mainly although not exclusively, taught as part of 'Understanding the World'. Tangible links are made to other areas of the curriculum.

We will teach the skills, knowledge and understanding set out in the National Curriculum and Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage which have been developed through our History progression documents, Long Term Plan, Medium Term Plans and individual lesson planning.

We start the planning process using the National Curriculum and Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and from this use our History progression documents. From this we develop long term, medium term and individual lesson plans. From medium term plans, individual lessons are planned around clear Learning Objectives. The teaching of History is structured around the main areas of learning set out in The National Curriculum and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

We seek to develop all children’s knowledge and understanding of the history of Britain and of the wider world. Our teaching aims to develop curiosity and fascination with the past and a passion for History. The curriculum aims to develop well-rounded and successful historians through well planned and differentiated lessons. Through this, all children will be able to develop a range of historical skills, knowledge and understanding which will enable them to learn about the past and their own place within that history. Our teaching of History will help children to develop a sense of who they are in a local, national and global context.

Progression will be within and across year groups.
Children will have the opportunity to revisit aspects of their learning in history, to develop and extend their skills, knowledge and understanding.
We seek to build a History curriculum which develops a coherent program of learning and ensures the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding about the past.
We will ensure that skills are progressive across all key stages, helping to develop an understanding of the passing of time.

By the time a child leaves St Martin’s they will have knowledge and understanding of:

The history of Britain from the earliest times to the present day and the lives of some of those who have shaped the nation.
Significant aspects of the history of the wider world including some ancient civilisations, empires, past non European societies and some of the successes and ‘follies’ of humankind.
Some historical terms and abstract historical concepts.
Methods of historical enquiry and how these are used rigourously by historians to construct arguments and interpret the past.
An understanding of historical perspective.

The children will have the skills to:

Understand develop coherent, chronological narratives
Accurately use historical terms and concepts
Use historical concepts to make connections, contrast, analyse trends, create questions and tell the stories of the past.
Apply their historical learning in a developing range of contexts.
Make connections between local, regional, national and international history as well as cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history.
Make connections between different timescales.
Effectively use a range of artefacts and sources, analyse nature, origin, purpose, accuracy and reliability

Children will know, understand and apply the following concepts:

A sense of time – with coherent, chronological understanding

Similarity, difference

Cause and consequence
Continuity and change
Significance
Historical interpretation
Historical perspective
Historical context

Children will also have had the opportunity to:

Utilise opportunites outside the classroom including memorable and enriching experiences.
Make cross curricular links to secure knowledge and understanding including through wider reading.

Implementation

History will be delivered over a number of weeks every other half-term, but teachers may choose to deliver History as a blocked week if this is a more effective way to facilitate and immerse the children in a unit of work.

The whole school progression documents provide an overview of substantive knowledge, disciplinary knowledge and methods of enquiry showing progression and links within year groups and across the school.

Vertical links are visible within our curriculum through repeated learning particularly in relation to historical enquiry or units of learning over a longer period of time, allowing children to develop skills, knowledge and understanding.

Guided reading and reading homework are ways in which we give children further reading opportunities around an area of study.

Children are taught to review and reflect on their prior knowledge, skills and understanding of History and how it links to their new learning.

Knowledge, skills and understanding progression will be tracked throughout the school to ensure continuity and progression across key stages. History will be recognised as an enquiry with a focus on skills and deepening knowledge and understanding, supported by ongoing questioning and discussion, observations and records of the children’s work in their books.

Impact

By the time a child leaves St Martin’s they will:

Enjoy, look forward to, and have a thirst for learning about history.
Know what it means to be a historian and identify this in themselves.
Be inspired by their learning about the past and want to learn more.
Have a breadth of key historical knowledge, skills and understanding including key historical concepts.
Meet achieved age related expectations in History.
Think critically, question and challenge sources, opinions and information.
Know about and understand chronology which will help them organise their understanding of the past.
Have had experiences beyond the classroom that have fostered their interests and enriched their learning.