History Intent

Our aim is to encourage pupils to develop an appreciation and understanding of the past, through evaluating a range of primary and secondary sources. We want our historians to be able to explain clearly how these sources give us an insight into how people around the world used to live and how these interpretations may differ. Pupils will be taught to make links between these areas of learning, with the aim of developing engaged, motivated and curious learners that can reflect on the past and make meaningful links to the present day.

Our History curriculum has been designed to cover all of the skills, knowledge and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. The National Curriculum states that ‘a high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past.’

To ensure that pupils develop a secure knowledge that they can build on, our History curriculum is organised into a progression model that outlines the skills, knowledge and vocabulary to be taught in a sequentially coherent way. Chronological Understanding; Historical Understanding; Historical Enquiry; Interpretations of History; Organisation and Communication are all mapped out to ensure that pupils build on secure prior knowledge.

When covering each of these strands, the content will be carefully organised by each year group through a long term plan. Content knowledge, vocabulary and skills will then be planned for at a greater level of detail in the medium term plan. History is delivered through subject specific teaching organised into blocks under a theme. Meaningful links with other subjects are made to strengthen connections and understanding for pupils.

The units have been developed to help children appreciate their own identity and the challenges in their time. It will help them understand the process of change over time and significant developments and events locally, nationally and globally.

Developing as a Historian requires all aspects of the discipline to be developed together. The curriculum must include “Historical knowledge” and “historical skills and concepts” which become blended. History knowledge is cumulative and deepens when concepts are compared and evaluated. Hence why it is important that some key Historical concepts will be visited through every year group. All activities will deepen the children’s understanding of one or more of the following concepts:

• Continuity and change in and between periods
• Cause and consequence
• Similarity / Difference within a period/situation (diversity)
• Significance of events / people