Intent

At Churchill Primary School, our History curriculum is designed to ignite children’s curiosity about the past. We are determined that alongside historical knowledge there will be a high focus on the development of specific historical skills through discrete History lessons to ensure children know more and remember more. The teaching of History in our school is intended to equip pupils to ask questions about the past, analyse evidence, think critically, appreciate different perspectives and develop informed judgements. We aim to provide an interesting and varied curriculum that interests and intrigues our children while meeting the needs of all backgrounds, cultures and abilities.

Implementation

History is delivered as a discrete subject, although wherever possible, subject links are exploited, particularly links with English through high quality texts, British values and our values-based learning. However, teachers make it explicit to the children that they are learning history skills and encourage them to think like historians. Knowledge based planning ensures coverage of both the required knowledge and the subject specific vocabulary. Individual sessions are planned to inspire, engage and challenge pupils in response to their needs. Our team provide exciting experiences which feed our children’s curiosity and embrace their inquisitive nature 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.

Our History curriculum covers the knowledge outlined in the National Curriculum through broad, challenging and inspiring themes. Progression is planned across the whole school in knowledge, skills and vocabulary so that pupils by the end of year 6 have the historical ability and appetite to be successful in History in their secondary school. The progression grid carefully builds on prior learning so that children can make sense of the subject, making horizontal and vertical links between areas of learning.  Pupils in year 6 will have a secure chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day. They will be 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 Greece, Egypt and the Mayans. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ 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.

Impact

Through the high quality first teaching of History taking place we will see the impact of the subject in different ways.

• Through pupil voice children will be able to talk about the skills and knowledge they have acquired.
• Children will be engaged in History lessons and want to find out more.
• Children will complete research independently through projects and homework and to further their own enjoyment about the subject or topic.
• Work will show that a range of topics is being covered, subject links are made where possible and differentiated work set as appropriate.
• The school environment will be history rich through displays, resources, vocabulary etc.
• As historians, children will learn lessons from history to influence the decisions they make in their lives in the future.