Our history curriculum takes the children on a journey from prehistory to modern times.
Starting in Early Years and Foundation Stage, children begin to understand the world and the concept of past and present, exploring prehistoric times through their themed learning.
Heading into Year 1, children will begin to understand key monarchs throughout British history and the impact of their reign on people living through those periods, as well as on modern day life.
Moving into Year 2, children investigate pioneers of history who took journeys into the unknown and how this changed the lives of people in that time and beyond through their perseverance and determination. In this year there is also a focus on significant events, including the Great Fire of London and the Civil War, that shaped history.
Building upon our History journey so far, Year 3 children continue to explore how ancient Britain shaped life today, including how the British Isles were shaped by our Roman and Viking conquerors – battles and resistance, key individuals and what life was like for the Britons and the Celts, as well as the bronze age, Iron age and the rise of Boudica.
Moving into Year 4, children explore what ancient civilisations looked like, how they were ruled, how they lived and traded. We look at what they achieved and the impact of this on future civilisations, making comparative links between leaders, communication, war, explorers and conquerors throughout British and world history.
In Year 5, children explore how and why Britain declared war, not only in 1914 but also again only a few decades later in 1939.. This incorporates all the knowledge studied in previous year groups relating to warfare, communication and leaders throughout history and how this in turn has shaped our lives today.
Finally in Year 6, children continue to build their historical enquiry skills by exploring life after the second world war, with a focus on the very diverse and definitive decades of world history – the 1960’s. Looking at the USA – Vietnam and the Peace Protest – children understand key events that led to the Vietnam War, how this impacted on those living in Vietnam then and now; comparing this to previous learning of World War I and II, exploring opposing viewpoints and recognising cause and consequence.
Throughout their journey, from Early Years up to Year 6, children will also explore key historic periods in Britain and their local area. We seek to build links for our children as they gain knowledge, so that by the end of their time here they:
- understand different models of leadership and government.
- can be discerning about historical sources and recognise the impact of partiality within this.
- can recognise similarities and differences across historical periods.
- can ask questions and make judgements based on evidence.
- can recognise that modern life has been built on the success and failures of a vast period on human history.
Alongside this, children are encouraged to develop their historical enquiry skills year-on-year. We enable this through our unique skills grid that organises enquiry skills into year groups to ensure that children advance their ability to analyse and interpret history.
Each year progresses on the previous enabling children the opportunity to practise and consolidate a set of skills before progressing them the following year. This allows staff to further support or challenge each child’s learning as necessary to ensure a personalised learning journey.
