History

Intent

At Minet junior school we aim to develop all children and young people’s understanding of their place in the world.  We teach children a sense of chronology in order to develop a sense of identity and cultural understanding based on their historical heritage. This enables our children to learn to value their own and other people’s cultures in modern multicultural Britain. By promoting curiosity and fascination, we want them to have no limits on what their ambitions are and grow up wanting to be museum creators, archaeologists, research analysts and more. Our History curriculum will equip the children to ask perceptive questions, think critically and develop perspective and judgement.  We believe that by allowing our children to understand the importance and enjoyment of history through different opportunities, they will become active learners with a passion for history.

Implementation

We take an enquiry-based approach to teaching History whereby each topic is framed upon a key question that guides the teaching. Across the whole school curriculum, children study the key historical concepts of chronology; significance; change and continuity; cause/consequence and interpretation. These are taught within the historical contexts outlined within the National Curriculum. Our literacy lessons are linked to the topics as much as possible and enrichment activities are planned in order to help immerse the children in the topic helping to make the learning more memorable. There are selected substantive concepts (outlined in the curriculum map) that reoccur in topics across the key stages, which enable children to gain a good understanding of chronology and make links between different periods of history. These links are outlined in each topic overview to ensure teachers understand the children’s prior learning and use timelines to help support their chronological understanding. Assessments are carried out at the end of each topic which address children’s understanding of the enquiry question. Children within KS2 also complete ‘what they know’ about the topic which assesses their prior learning and retention and focusses upon factual and chronological knowledge. Books are monitored throughout the year and pupil voices are conducted to ensure the content/skills are covered as planned and that children are retaining their knowledge and understanding. There is a progression document to support with planning and differentiation between the year groups.

Impact

Our History curriculum is a rigorous approach to teaching the subject. Our children develop a sound overview of the past and the ability to analyse it with a critical mind. Our class work shows how our enquiry-based approach gives real purpose and focus to each topic; each lesson planned carefully to address our overall question. Our rigorous curriculum map shows a whole school curriculum that has been planned carefully to teach the main historical concepts through a range of contexts in a way that creates links between periods and events. Children will be able to make links to previously studied topics and make comparisons. Children will be enthused by their History topics, through our cross-curricular approach and enrichment activities which immerses them in the period; creating intrigue and enjoyment. Our assessments and monitoring allow us to see the impact of our teaching, guide future planning and ensure that our standards of teaching are high.