History

Intent

What we are aiming for in History:

At Bethersden Primary School, we value History as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. History is integral in instilling curiosity and forming enquiring minds; it allows children to ask questions, consider reasoned judgements and develop criticality. As pupils progress through the curriculum, they should have a growing understanding of chronology, they should be able to consider the significance of events in the past and apply this to the world around them. Our children will leave Bethersden as young historians, equipped with the skills, understanding and most importantly enthusiasm for the subject.

Implementation

What History looks like in our school:

At Bethersden, the teaching and implementation of the History Curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and is planned using Cornerstones: Curriculum Maestro (Curriculum 22 model). The Cornerstones approach follows the structure of: Engage, Develop, Innovate, Express. This is the basis for teaching and learning across all the foundation subjects. History topics become the driver units for two terms of the school year. These topics are then supported by cross-curricular links in Art, Design Technology and Geography. The History projects are well sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s skills (including: comparing and contrasting, reporting and concluding, viewing sources and artefacts) and knowledge (including: civilisations, everyday life, hierarchy and power). Children revisit and review their understanding of each of these areas as they progress through their primary school years.

Early Years

In the Foundation Stage, History is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the Cornerstones Curriculum. The objectives taught are mostly taken from the Understanding the World statements from ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals.

Key stage 1

Pupils are taught:

About changes within living memory and their impact on national life
About events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally [for example, the Great Fire of London, the first aeroplane flight or events commemorated through festivals or anniversaries]
About the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
About significant historical events, people and places in their own locality.

Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught:

About changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
About the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain
About Britain’s settlement by the Anglo-Saxons and Scots
About the Vikings and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England
About a local history study
A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronology beyond 1066
About the achievements of the earliest civilisations
About Ancient Greece
About a non-European society that provides contrast with British history

Throughout their time at Bethersden, our children will develop their understanding and use of a range of historical skills including: chronology, making connections, comparing and contrasting, using evidence, asking questions and drawing conclusions.

Impact

What the results will be: By the time children leave Bethersden Primary school, we want them to have developed a passion for History. They will be able to be critical, evaluating sources and artefacts as well as the thoughts and ideas of their peers. They will be able to participate in collaborative learning to further their understanding as well as complete independent historical enquiries. They will have experienced a wide range of historical periods and will be able to talk about these demonstrating an understanding of chronology and interconnectivity.