History

“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” Theodore Roosevelt

INTENT

History is the study of change over time, covering all aspects of human society.  At Nunney First School, our curriculum involves engaging pupils in investigating questions about people and events in the past.  Our aim is for our pupils to be able to form, articulate and defend opinions based on evidence and understanding, supporting their development into well rounded, knowledgeable and active citizens.

Togetherness – Through Historical enquiry, children are taught to recognise the importance of working together, by asking questions and carrying out historical studies.  They are taught to collaborate and challenge others, developing opinions and ideas.  This is also modelled through our in depth teaching of important events that have shaped our past and present, giving children an awareness of others and how they have helped us.

Happiness – History at Nunney First School involves engaging pupils in investigating people and events in the past, in order to enable them to better understand their lives today.  Our projects instil a curiosity and a wonder in children that they are part of the story or the world.

Respect –  Pupils consistently ask and answer challenging questions about the past whilst understanding that they must be open-minded to evidence and other viewpoints. This gives them a respect and sense of care for others and the world around them.

Independence – Through Historical study, pupils are encouraged to be curious, self-motivated and reflective learners, all skills which help them to be independent, lifelong learners.

Variety – Through our Curriculum Maestro Projects, children are given the opportunity to interpret and understand a myriad of historical issues within Britain, Europe and the World in a variety of exciting ways.

Excellence – In History, teachers inspire children to achieve the highest levels of success, providing them with the opportunities to excel in terms of their acquisition and long-lasting knowledge and understanding. Our History Projects are knowledge-based and, through our curriculum progression, children are encouraged to make links across different projects and across Key Stages, ensuring excellent and long-lasting subject knowledge.

IMPLEMENTATION

History is integrated into our creative curriculum and accessed through our Learning Means the World projects to ensure full coverage of all National Curriculum Programmes of Study, using a cross-curricular approach to support subject specific learning.  The history projects are well sequenced to provide a coherent scheme that develops children’s historical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines.  Key aspects and concepts are revisited throughout all projects and developed over time.  The choice of historical periods follows the guidance set out in the national curriculum and develops historical skills based on evidence and historical enquiry.  Meaningful connections are made with other projects, giving children a rounded understanding of different cultures.  The programme is knowledge rich, engaging children with innovative and expressive approaches which hone their skills.

In History, all pupils are taught an enquiry focused approach to learning which develops their critical thinking skills and builds their grasp of subject concepts.  Our pupils develop an awareness of the past through the study of significant individuals, events linked to the local area and changes within living memory. Some projects are specifically focused weeks studying a historical character such as ‘The Lindow Man’.  Pupils build their grasp of historical context through the study of events which have had national and international impact, making connections and contrasts over time and building an appreciation of chronology.  Children are taught how to ask, investigate and answer questions, allowing for collaborative work as well as independent research. As a result, pupils are able to understand, reach conclusions and ultimately make judgements about the past.

History is the driver subject for many of our projects through the school.  Our curriculum is ever evolving to meet the needs of the children but please you can see our Long Term Plan to see where main History teaching occurs each term.

History is taught in a ‘whole class’ setting with flexibility to allow for discussion, questioning and  group work.

A variety of teaching approaches are encouraged:

  • Teacher presentations
  • Group or paired investigations
  • Use of  photographs, videos, pictures and maps
  • IT, film, podcasts, radio and websites to research and communicate ideas.

We make links with the rest of our ‘Learning Means the World’ projects lessons as well as in English where possible.

This is our HISTORY KNOWLEDGE BUILDING overview