“History is both a body of knowledge and a form of knowledge." (Dr Michael Riley)
Intent of the History Curriculum
Within our history curriculum, we intend to give all children in school a rounded knowledge of history through our range of historical enquiries and an awareness of where their focus of study fits on a world history timeline (what came before, what happened after, what was happening at the same time elsewhere in the world). We strongly believe all children should be given the knowledge to develop an appreciation of both world-wide and their local history. We aim for children to understand the importance of acquiring historical knowledge and the processes in how this knowledge has been formed in order to become an active citizen who upholds important values.
Implementation of the History Curriculum
As children move through the years at our school, they build upon and cement their existing knowledge to allow them to develop a rich historical vocabulary as well as coherent and secure chronological foundations. Through historical enquiry, children learn about the past and gain an understanding of how knowledge is acquired in history through the process of questioning, use of sources and the skill of critical thinking when exploring interpretations and bias. Children develop an understanding of historical concepts such as cause and consequence and similarity and difference.
We aim to inspire children to have a lifelong history passion through exposure to a range of historical periods and significant events and figures within this. Cross-curricular links are embedded in our approach to teaching History to fully immerse children in their historical enquiry whilst ensuring diversity and British Values are considered throughout the curriculum.
In KS2, the curriculum is in chronological order because we feel this allows children to have a deeper understanding of history by knowing what has come before that time period across the world. It enables children to make links between historical time periods and themes, including similarity and difference whilst securing their understanding of the progression of time.
Each learning journey begins with a baseline to establish prior knowledge of what children already know, and what they’re curious to find out about. The subsequent lessons are carefully sequenced with the aim to discuss, challenge and answer the overall historical enquiry question whilst aiming for progression in skills, vocabulary and knowledge during the journey. Children are exposed to a variety of sources and artefacts and learn skills and knowledge to enable them to develop as inquisitive historians. Trips and visitors are highly valued to immerse children in their historical enquiry.
Over time, children become increasingly independent in forming their own and evaluating others’ conclusions, with consideration of reliability and context.
Impact
Through pupil voice conversations, children say they enjoy History learning and the topics they have been introduced too. Pupils have confidence to ask questions and challenge sources and evidence and form their own judgements. Historical vocabulary has been a recent focus for us and children are becoming much more confident using this language independently.
Important Links
Link to the History Progression Document
Link to the Vocabulary progression
Local History
We strongly believe that for children to be curious and well-rounded historians, they need to have a thorough and representative understanding of the history in Pudsey and more broadly, West Yorkshire. This enables children to understand their place in history. Please see the curriculum progression document for more details.
Special ‘WOW’ events 2022-23
Throughout school, we expose children to a variety of different ‘WOW’ events to create excitement, passion and a greater understanding of the historical time periods and contexts they are studying.
Year 1 – Visit from grandparents.
Year 2 - Titanic Drama Day, Trip to Skipton Castle and a Medieval Day.
Year 3 – Egyptian Day and Saltaire visit.
Year 4 – Greek Day and a Roman workshop.
Year 5 – Early Islamic Civilisation Workshop, Anglo-Saxon workshop and a Viking archaeological dig.
Year 6 - Yorkshire Air Museum and the Attendance of the Remembrance Service at Pudsey Cenotaph.
