History
Intent, implementation and impact of our History Curriculum
History Subject Leader- Nicola Dixon
At Saint Joseph's Catholic Primary School, we shape our History curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. Through this we aim to equip all of our children with the knowledge and skills to ‘think like a Historian’.
Our aims are to fulfill the requirements of the National Curriculum for History by providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum that:
- Ensures the progressive development of Historical concepts, knowledge and skills
- Allows children to study life in the past in an exciting, engaging way
- Encompasses British Values throughout
Intent
Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the History of Britain and how it has influenced and been influenced by the wider world. Our children learn about significant aspects of the History of the wider world like Ancient Civilisations and Empires whilst also explaining changes in living memory and beyond living memory. They learn about the lives of significant people of the past and understand the methods of Historical enquiry; whilst also asking and answering key questions about the past. We want children to enjoy and love learning about History by gaining this knowledge and skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also drawing upon the knowledge of visitors into school and going out on educational visits.
Implementation
In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in History, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. History is taught as part of a half-termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. We ensure that History has the same importance given to it as the core subjects as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences. In addition to this, key writing opportunities are explored to ensure that writing across the curriculum reflects work produced within English books. Learning takes place through discussion, debate and opinion to stretch understanding and challenge different views of the past. The scheme of learning is bespoke to our setting with local history impacting upon our History curriculum.
Topics are carefully planned across year groups to ensure that we provide children with a wide range of exciting learning opportunities that are closely linked to the National Curriculum for History.
Impact
We will ensure that our children are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want our children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about History, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.
