History Curriculum Statement of Intent

To develop children’s experiences, understanding, historical skills and vocabulary.  We teach a creative and chronological History curriculum to inspire and ignite children’s interest and curiosity about the wider world, giving them the vital tools and cultural capital to become active and reflective members in the world.

Intent

• To build a History curriculum that develops learning and results in the acquisition of new knowledge and skills so that children will know more, remember more and understand more.
• This new historical knowledge includes constructing the past and sequencing the past.
  The historical concepts that are studied include change and development, similarity and difference, cause and effect, significance and interpretations.
  The historical enquiry skills that are developed include planning and carrying out a historical enquiry and using sources as evidence.
• We aim to not only cover but also to exceed the depth and breadth of the National Curriculum.
• To provide an interesting and varied curriculum that interests our children and meets the needs of all backgrounds, cultures and abilities. 
• To create meaningful opportunities to link History to other subjects.
• To ensure units are taught in a logical sequence where children build on prior, core knowledge. This will allow children to make connections to different concepts such as trade and empire.
• Staff will follow their curriculum maps to ensure there is progression throughout the school and lessons follow a sequence that is pertinent to the topic.
• To fulfil the duties of the National Curriculum whereby schools must provide a broad and balanced curriculum. We promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, development of pupils and prepare them for their responsibilities for later life.
• We will monitor progress regularly through book looks, evidence of work and discussions with the pupils. 
• We will ensure that all staff are kept informed of any changes within the History curriculum and that best practice is shared. 

Implementation
 

• Rising Stars Scheme
  We use and adapt the Rising Stars scheme. Subject leader has listened to feedback from teachers whilst ensuring complete National Curriculum coverage. The scheme helps equip teachers with expert subject knowledge.
• Knowledge Organisers
  Children have access to key knowledge, language and meanings to understand History and to use these skills across the curriculum. 
• Subject specific and content specific vocabulary
  Identified through knowledge organisers, highlighted to the children at the beginning of lessons and revisited through "Flashbacks". 
• Provision in EYFS 
• EYFS new Framework 2021 - The Early Year's curriculum is also included in our progression framework and carefully planned for to ensure there is a combination of progression and revisited learning between Reception and Year One. Reception children are given a secure grounding in the Prime Areas of learning, ensuring they have a good foundation on which to build through the specific areas, including ‘Understanding The World’. Areas of provision are enhanced to ensure children are exposed to vocabulary and they are able to develop their understanding of the past, present and the difference between the two.
• Use of artefacts
  Where possible we use artefacts for children to explore and investigate. We believe that handling or viewing real objects enhances the children’s historical knowledge, understanding and skills.
• Use of sources / bias
  We aim for children to recognise that bias exists in some form in many historical sources, and this needs to be accounted for in their interpretation of evidence. 
• Cultural Capital 
  We plan visits, visitors and involvement in the community activity to provide first-hand experiences for the children to support and develop their learning. This is often linked to History. 

History Curriculum Overview