History

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Intent

• History will be taught as an interactive subject which strives to ignite a child’s natural curiosity.

• Teaching will bring learning to life, encouraging children to discover the past and understand how it connects with the lives we lead today.

• Children will be encouraged to become inquisitive Historians by asking and answering questions about past lives and societies through handling and analysing a wide range of historical evidence.

• In History, children will develop the skills to make links and connections, engage and respond, analyse and evaluate using sources of evidence. By understanding the lives of those of the past, children will gain a better understanding of their own identity.

• Children will develop a sense of chronology in relation to Britain’s past and that of the wider world.

• The individual talents and abilities of pupils will be promoted to ensure that each child fulfils his or her full potential.

Implementation: How do we translate our vision into practice?

• History will be taught through investigation and enquiry. Children will develop an understanding of how History has had an impact on our lives today both locally, nationally and internationally.

• Children will be encouraged to be independent and critical thinkers, fostering an understanding of ‘why’ as well as ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘where’.

• The curriculum provides a rich variety of topics that cover The Stone Age to World War II. Each topic has an overarching question which they refer to at the beginning, throughout and at the end of each unit to see how different events and actions can accumulate to build a deeper understanding of a historical period.

• The key historical skills (set out in the National curriculum) underpin the planning, teaching and learning of History at St Anne’s. Key skills which we aim for the pupils at Saint Anne’s to develop are; analysing and debating the reliability of sources, making comparisons between historical periods, devising historically valid questions, drawing conclusions from sources and making links between events. By focusing on these skills we aim for the pupils at Saint Anne’s to become inquisitive, enquiring and informed Historians.

• Each unit being planned includes opportunities for children to investigate, handle artefacts, pictorial evidence, watch historical footage, take part in role play activities, visit relevant sites and museums and where appropriate, experience oral history, engaging with historical characters and ways of life.

• Lessons will be planned so that there is time for discussion and debate, fostering an environment of enquiry which enables children to revise and justify their opinions as well as encouraging children to ask as well as answer questions about history.

• Children will also be taught historical facts and be encouraged to gain a factual base of historical knowledge, they will be encouraged to remember for example key dates and events in British and World History and the names and impacts of important historical figures.

• Cross curricular links, particularly with Geography, Art and English will be evident. Children will consolidate writing skills and reapply them in an alternative and more independent context, this type of activity may for example allow the children to put themselves in the shoes of the historical characters they are learning about and approach their learning from a different perspective.

• Learning will extend beyond the classroom, with children being given challenging homework projects linked to their chosen Unit of work and the opportunity for children to present their learning in History in Key Stage assemblies. Throughout the Year, History learning at Saint Anne’s will be celebrated, with a ‘History Day’, during which each class in the school, shared their learning with other classes. Visits within History will enrich the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.

• Children will gain a good understanding of historical terms and be able to use these both orally and in their written work.

• The learning taking place in each class in History will be evident though engaging and interactive classroom displays, and time lines will be on display in each class throughout the year and will be refereed to during each unit of work taught.

Impact: What is the impact of our curriculum on the students?

• Children are enthused about their History learning and are keen to extend this learning beyond the classroom.

• Children experience a wide-ranging number of learning challenges and develop the skills to be independent and critical thinkers.

• By the end of their primary education, children will have a chronological understanding of British History from the Stone Age to present day, as well as having explored the ancient civilizations.

• Children will be able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives.

• Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in History. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in History and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education.

• There is a proven track record of success in History that reflects the impact of deep learning. Children’s progress of learning will be evident in their books but also in Class Floor Books, which will record children’s questions and responses throughout the unit of work.

• Fundamental British Values are evident in History and children understand how History can celebrate difference.