History Curriculum

Intent

Our intent for history curriculum is to provide a rich and engaging curriculum that creates a deep understanding and appreciation of the past, develops critical thinking skills, and promotes a sense of identity and belonging within our pupils. We aim to empower our pupils to become curious and responsible citizens who can make connections between historical events and their own lives.

Our aims for history are:
1. To impart knowledge and understanding of key historical periods, events, and significant individuals.
2. To develop skills such as critical analysis, source evaluation, and chronological reasoning.
3. To nurture an enthusiasm for the subject and curiosity about the past.
4. To promote cultural awareness, empathy, and respect for diversity.
5. To enable pupils to reflect on historical events and their impact.

Implementation

Curriculum Design and Sequencing

Our history curriculum is designed to be coherent, chronological, and ambitious. It is aligned with the National Curriculum, providing a broad and balanced coverage of different periods and themes in British and world history. We ensure progression by building on prior knowledge and skills, fostering a deeper understanding as students move through the years.

Lessons are carefully sequenced, introducing new topics through engaging stimuli such as primary and secondary sources, images, historical fiction, artefacts, visits and visitors. Cross-curricular links with subjects such as English, art, and geography are utilised to enhance learning experiences.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

We employ a range of effective teaching and learning strategies to engage and challenge our students. These strategies include role-playing, enquiry-based learning, collaborative work, and the use of ICT resources. Our teachers facilitate thought-provoking discussions, encourage analytical thinking, and actively promote questioning and investigation. Visits to museums, historical sites, and inviting guest speakers are incorporated to enrich students' experiences and make learning relevant to real-life contexts.

To develop pupils' historical skills, we provide explicit teaching of concepts such as interpreting sources, analysing biases, and making reasoned conclusions. We embrace a variety of formative and summative assessment methods, including extended writing, presentations, projects, and quizzes, to check students' understanding and progress.

Inclusion and Differentiation

We have a strong commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all students, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, have equal access to the history curriculum. Differentiation strategies are implemented to cater to students' individual needs, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who are gifted and talented.

Differentiated tasks, scaffolded resources, and the provision of additional support ensure that all students are appropriately challenged and can achieve their potential. Support from Teaching Assistants during lessons and targeted interventions enable every learner to thrive.

Impact

The impact of our history curriculum is evidenced through the achievements, attitudes, and progress of our pupils. They demonstrate:

1. Deep knowledge and understanding: Pupils are securing understanding of historical concepts, key events, and the causes and consequences of historical changes. They can analyse and interpret primary and secondary sources, making connections between different periods and themes.
2. Passion and enthusiasm: Pupils demonstrate a genuine interest and enthusiasm for History, actively engaging with the subject and participating in discussions. They develop a love for learning about the past and are able to transfer their knowledge and skills to further educational experiences.
3. Cultural awareness and respect: Pupils develop a strong understanding and appreciation of different cultures, respecting and valuing different perspectives. They display empathy and can reflect on their own identity and heritage, contributing positively to an inclusive school community.
4. Progress and achievement: Pupils make good progress in History, building a strong foundation for future learning. They are prepared for the demands of secondary education and beyond.

Our history curriculum contributes to the preparation of our pupils becoming active citizens with an understanding of the past.  It equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world, allowing them to make informed decisions and actively participate in shaping the future.