History Curriculum Offer
At Crowcombe and Stogumber Primary Schools, we see history as a subject to enhance pupils’ curiosity about the past and gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We believe that high quality history lessons inspire children to want to know more about the past and to think and act as historians. Pupils will discover how the past influences the present and, in doing so they develop an understanding of chronology. Essential skills of asking perceptive questions, thinking critically, researching and analysing evidence and developing perspective and judgement, as well as presenting their point of view are key in history; skills that are also essential in life. History opens our eyes to the diversity of human experience; it provides us with opportunities to learn more deeply about society and ourselves, and knowledge of the great events of the past help to bring context to our everyday experiences.
Our history curriculum aims to enable our pupils to;
At Crowcombe and Stogumber Primary Schools, pupil receive a well-rounded education in history, which builds on prior knowledge, vocabulary and skills from EYFS to Year 6 and prepares them for learning into KS3 and beyond. We believe that stories play an integral part of introducing the key concepts of being a historian. Through their exploration of past and present events pupils will consider similarities & differences between lives now and in the past and will explore evidence through museum loans and visits and interpretation of oral history.
Children in our reception class begin to learn the concept of history as they talk about past events in their own lives. This provides an initial introduction to chronology, which plays an important role in helping pupils to understand what is meant by ‘a long time ago’ or ‘before living memory’, using their own lives, experience and interests to support this. They will talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society and understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books read in class and storytelling. This introduction to chronology in the early years helps to build vocabulary and knowledge that things do not always remain the same and supports an understanding of changes over time that are further explored in KS1 and beyond.
The history curriculum in Key Stages One and Two seeks to give pupils a solid foundation and broad overview in some of the most important periods, events and themes in local, national and world history. This will ensure that pupils leave primary school with an understanding of how historical events, characters and periods of time have had an impact nationally and internationally and knowledge of aspects of life that are the same and different to the past.
In Key Stage One pupils follow a two year curriculum rolling programme. Learning about significant events that happened before the children’s living memory will allow them to empathise with people from the past through their growing understanding of home life, communities and culture. Pupils develop knowledge and understanding of significant individuals and their impact on society such as Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Mary Anning, as well as a detailed local study. This enables pupils to draw comparisons between different periods of time and today’s society, as well as providing specific chronological reference points in history. Through their work on Castles and Kings and Queens, pupils will be introduced to events beyond living memory, with a focus on monarchy. Through hands-on experience and oral history, pupils begin to develop an understanding of how history has shaped life in Britain today and sets the basis for exploring continuity and change throughout KS2.
In Lower Key Stage Two pupils follow a two year curriculum rolling programme further developing their understanding of chronology through studying ancient civilisation and their legacy on Britain today. Pupils develop a secure knowledge of the Stone Age to the Iron Age as well as Anglo Saxons, Viking, Romans and Ancient Greeks and how their invasions caused changes in British society. Pupils will develop their knowledge of empire; democracy and politics; trade, industry and money; war & peace; culture; religions, philosophy and beliefs; home life; education; transport; communication, health and wellbeing and design and technology, as well as exploring the validity of historical interpretations. Legends, myths and stories from these periods will support the development of their historical vocabulary. Children will build on their introduction to monarchy in KS1 by studying Tudor monarchs and making comparisons with modern day as well as completing a local history study to build a wider understanding of connections within the local community.
In Upper Key Stage Two pupils follow a two year rolling programme which builds on their previous knowledge and understanding of chronology and different periods of time. This includes further study on ancient civilisations through studying the Ancient Egyptians and Maya and building on pupils’ knowledge of trade, transport and technology, as well as enabling comparisons and contrasts between time periods. Pupils will secure their knowledge of the Victorian Era, giving a greater depth and broadness to their understanding of monarchy and developing knowledge of class, war and health. Pupils will study Darwin and Evolution, World War II and the Space race, providing knowledge and understanding of significant turning points in national and global history, adding further knowledge of significant scientific discovery, technological developments and conceptual understanding and complexities of war and peace.
Our curriculum builds on the National Curriculum for history and its aims to ensure that all pupils:
Generosity Optimism Determination Curiosity Courage