At Shawbury St Marys school, we aim to deliver a high-quality history education that enables learners to gain an understanding of our local heritage, Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our lessons inspire children’s curiosity to know more about the past. Children, through history, are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, sift arguments, weigh evidence, think critically and develop perspective and judgement.
History at Shawbury St Marys enables our learners to be proud of their local heritage, to develop a sense of their own identity and the challenges and changes within their local area. Our curriculum seeks to provide learners with a growing understanding of the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, equality and diversity within societies and develop an understanding of the relationships between different groups of people.
Intent – How have we designed our History Curriculum?
At St Mary’s, our History curriculum had been created to ensure all lessons enhance and develop the children as learners in History. We endeavour to create an interest for each child in talking and learning about events and objects from the past.
We hope to develop key skills such as examining artefacts, looking at differences and similarities, developing knowledge of Historical terms and develop reference points as to how far into the past events happened and compare these to others. Children will progress through the school developing their knowledge and each skill further, becoming confident learners in History.
It is our intent that children have a desire to learn about what has happened in the past and have an interest in discovering how different things are in the present day.
At Shawbury St Mary’s we ensure pupils:
- Know and understand that history of the British Isles as a clear, chronological narrative. Children study history from the earliest periods in the British Isles through to the present day. Children need to understand how people’s lives have been shaped through this nation and, that Britain in turn has been shaped and influenced by the wider world.
- Children need to know about significant aspects of history in the wider world – the nature of ancient civilisations, the rise and fall of empires, characteristic features of past non-European societies and the major achievements/failures of mankind.
- Children need to gain an understanding of key terms such as: Empire, Civilisation, democracy and kings/queens.
- Children need to understand historical concepts:
Key strands:
| Invasion |
Monarchy |
Settlement |
Empire |
Trade |
Implementation – How do we deliver the History Curriculum?
Our planning and teaching is based upon the 2014 National Curriculum aims. In order to engage and excite the pupils within their Topics, we ensure here at St Mary’s that the children’s History teaching and learning is directly linked to their current in class theme. Through thematic teaching, children will learn about their class focus while developing key Historical skills and knowledge.
Through their EYFS History experience, they will be discussing significant events that have happened in their lives, and will be looking at artefacts and discussing and comparing using language related to similarities and differences.
Children will be taught through their topics, linking directly to the curriculum aims set out for each Key Stage. Events and eras will be focused on throughout the year in detail and explored through a lesson by lesson plan.
In Key Stage One, children are introduced to the key vocabulary and are taught to explore the passing of time and changes using language. They will also be introduced to some key historical eras and people from the past, as well as exploring and understanding local history.
In Key Stage Two they are given further opportunities to apply their comparison skills and develop further understanding and knowledge of key Historical periods of time, key Historians and people of significance from the past. In Key Stage Two the focus will be further on comparing and placing these eras or events on a timeline, as well as applying substantive knowledge to disciplinary concepts.
Some areas covered will be: significant events or people, changes both within living memory and beyond, history of local area, significant eras set out in the National Curriculum.
History Curriculum Progression Documents
St Mary’s History LTP Cycle A and B
Progression
Progression and structure through the History curriculum is supported by carefully selected Topics that develop skills, vocabulary and knowledge throughout each Key Stage.
The children cover each area of the National Curriculum throughout their topics in the curriculum breadth. This helps the children develop as learners in History, and secures the concept development into long term memory. This increases their knowledge of the areas of History over time.
Progression is mapped out through the use of vocabulary, skills and knowledge in the Intent statement attached above.
Links to Other Subjects
Where appropriate the teaching of our History is linked to other curriculum areas. Here are some of the ways we link History to other subjects:
| Subject |
How History may be linked |
| English |
Stories regularly used for context within topics.
Vocabulary taught and used within writing sessions and other lessons to embed their understanding of the words.
Writing can be linked to History topics to embed learning and develop understanding. |
| Science |
Scientific figures will be touched upon throughout the curriculum- including Charles Darwin. |
| Geography |
Developing understanding of the Geography of areas covered to deepen understanding and make links within the History and locality of the topic. |
| Maths |
Chronology- using dates and numbers to place events in order. |
| Art |
Using art as a source to draw information from and learn about the history of an era. |
| Design Technology |
Replicating artefacts from eras covered. |
| Music |
Listening to music from different eras in History and how this reflects life then. |
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Special Educational Needs in History
Although a child may have been identified as having a special educational need, they may have particular skills and knowledge linked to their History topics. Within History, we aspire to provide engaging, explorative lessons linked to topics across the curriculum. We strive to maintain an inclusive learning environment, working with additional adults and using multi-sensory approaches, including the use of technology, to explore and learn, allowing pupils to develop understanding within the topics.
When planning, we take into account pupils’ needs and celebrating individual expression, promoting positive attitudes. We set suitable learning challenges to overcome potential barriers to learning and assessment and modify the curriculum to remove barriers so all pupils meet the same objectives.
Throughout a sequence of lessons, we continue to develop adult-pupil communication to motivate, question, challenge and assess all children. The revisiting of concepts and knowledge helps to build understanding and skills, and embed these within their long term memory for our children’s progression into Key Stage 3.
History Beyond the Classroom
To raise children’s aspirations within History, we always look for opportunities beyond the classroom.
History is regularly spoken about within class worships and school assemblies to develop understanding of world History and relevant world events and topics.
The aim is for children to have a curiosity and excitement about the History of our locality, the world and Britain. This is embedded within trips and visits linked with our class topics, for the children apply skills and learn and remember more using hands on experiences.
Impact
Children at St Mary’s are given a broad and balanced curriculum, as part of this curriculum; the History teaching and learning they receive should be relevant and clear. They should be able to compare the different areas they have focused on and in most cases be able to place events and Eras on a timeline.
Children will be assessed informally throughout the year to ensure progress is being made within the History unit.
Children should all be able to recall and remember key parts of the topic’s lessons due to the broad and engaging learning opportunities provided.
As a subject, History will be regularly monitored to ensure the teaching and learning is effective and children are developing their skills as Historians. It is also important to ensure all areas of the Curriculum are covered through each Key Stage, which is why this is closely looked at and changed and altered if needed.