HISTORY
Curriculum Statement
“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. Teaching should equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.”
At Harlands Primary School, we promote the learning of History through cross-curricular activities and an enrichment programme of visits, visitors and workshops, designed to awaken and inspire our children’s inquisitiveness about the past.
Through the study of History, pupils at Harlands Primary School will also develop the key skills of enquiring and posing questions, thinking critically, considering evidence and evaluating arguments.
We hope that these skills will support pupils to reflect on the constant process of historical change and the diverse nature of societies and relationships, equipping them as global citizens to face the challenges of their lifetime.
Our school follows the programmes of study from 2014 National Curriculum that specifies what to teach in each year group.
Intent
- For children to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.
- To provide opportunities that stimulate children’s curiosity to know more about the past.
- For children to appreciate history in a chronological context.
- For children to be encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
- To begin to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.
- To develop the use of historical language, and enrich their vocabulary to support their understanding of the world in the past.
Implementation
Children in the Foundation Stage are taught the historical elements of the Foundation Stage document through the Early Years Curriculum: Understanding the World.
History is taught both discretely and in a cross-curricular approach. Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 focus on more recent and local history linked to our topics. These include Transport and the Great Fire of London. Key Stage 2 explore ancient civilisations (including Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and The Stone Age) through the Middle Ages and modern 20th Century History.
In History during Key Stage 1 children are taught:
- to identify significant changes within and beyond living memory;
- aspects of the lives and work of notable individuals; and
- about significant historical events and where appropriate, to compare these to our locality.
In History during Key Stage 2 children are taught:
- important changes in Britain from the Stone Age until today;
- significant events, individuals and ancient civilisations; and
- to study an element of local history.
Impact
Our History curriculum helps us prepare the children for current and future challenges by learning from past achievements, mistakes, events and ideas. Our children will leave Harlands with an understanding about the impact of the past on themselves, others and the world today. They will be critical thinkers and recognise the importance of questioning sources and can be subjective. Our curriculum will nurture the children’s desire to learn more about the past to understand more about the present and understand how real people lived. Our children will enjoy exploring, investigating and appreciating different places: locally, nationally and internationally. They will also have the desire and skills to research and understand why it is so important.
Updated April 2022