History

Why our History Curriculum looks like this?

 Our History curriculum helps pupils to gain and develop a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain‘s past, including that of their local area and the wider world from EYFS right the way through to Year 6. It has been carefully planned and structured to ensure current learning is linked to previous learning, so to instil a firm sense of chronology. Our curriculum, which begins in Early Years with the children recognising that things happened before they were born; has appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum and so will enable the children to reach and exceed their potential at St. Mary and St John’s Primary School. It aims to inspire pupils to be curious, ask questions, think critically and to develop perspective and judgement. It also helps children gain a sense of their own identity within a social, political, cultural and economic background.

How History is taught at St. Mary and St John Catholic Primary School?

• Our History curriculum aims to excite the children and allow them to develop their skills as historians. It provides a clear and comprehensive scheme of work that will show a progression of key skills across all key stages, focusing on Investigating and Interpreting the Past, in-depth studies of World History and a secure understanding of Chronology. 

• In EYFS, History at St Mary and St John Primary School begins with the children exploring familiar situations in the past, such as homes, school and transport; and starting to compare and contrast characters from stories including figures from the past. It follows the ‘Development Matters’ guidance which aims for all children in reception to have an ‘Understanding of the World; people and communities, the world and technology’ by the end of the academic year.

• As the children move into KS1 and KS2, History is taught in discrete half termly units throughout the year, with all classes teaching History at the same time. This allows the children to achieve depth in their learning and teachers are able to see clear progression across school. History is also incorporated within other curriculum subjects such as English and Art, when appropriate. 

• By the end of year 6, children will have a chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day. They are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this are studies of world history, such as the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece and the Mayans. 

• Bringing history alive is key for our young learners, therefore, wherever possible, we make use of external visits, visitors and the opportunity to observe and experience real life artefacts. 

• Subject Sharing Assemblies are planned in at the end of every half term and each year group is given the opportunity to talk about and share their work/project with the whole school. 

• Emphasis is placed on Historical enquiry and inclusion of a ‘WOW’ factor in each topic, which inspires children to have an excitement for finding out about the past. 

• Planning is informed by and aligned with the national curriculum. In addition, staff have access to the ‘PlanBee’ planning tool and resources, however, teachers lesson design is not limited by this and is informed by national agencies, including the History Association, of which the school is a member of. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge.

How will we measure the impact of our History Curriculum? 

• At St Mary and St John Catholic Primary School, we have devised a subject specific Assessment Tracker that determines children’s development of skills, understanding and informs teachers planning.

• This is completed on a termly basis by the class teacher, and is shared with Subject Leaders and SLT. 

• Subject Leaders also carry out regular learning walks, Book Looks, lesson observations and pupil discussions. Book Swaps are a regular feature in our Staff Meeting time. 

• Action Plans are reviewed termly by Subject Leaders and shared annually with Governors.

• Pupils work evidences a broad and balanced History curriculum and demonstrates the children’s acquisition of the key skills.

By the time our children leave St Mary and St John’s Primary School we will have equipped them with a breadth of knowledge, skills and historical experiences to give them a secure grounding for their secondary school learning. Our History curriculum will have instilled in them a love and enjoyment of learning about the past, and an empathy and understanding for how important the past has been is in shaping their lives and their futures