History
Curriculum Rationale
At our school, the teaching of history is designed to ignite pupils’ curiosity about the past and equip them with the knowledge and skills to understand how history shapes the world they live in today. Our curriculum offers a rich, coherent, and chronological journey through local, British, and global history, providing pupils with a strong sense of identity, place, and change over time.
We believe that high-quality history teaching goes beyond memorising dates and facts. It develops children’s ability to think critically, ask insightful questions, and engage with evidence to form their own historical interpretations. Through engaging enquiries and carefully sequenced content, pupils are supported to understand key historical concepts such as cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and significance.
Our curriculum builds progressively from the early stages of historical understanding—such as recognising past and present in Key Stage 1—through to more complex historical enquiry and interpretation in Key Stage 2. Pupils learn about significant individuals, events, and periods in British history, as well as important global civilisations, ensuring a balanced and inclusive perspective on the past.
We aim for our children to:
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Develop a strong chronological framework by understanding the sequence of historical events and periods;
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Use a range of historical sources to gather evidence and challenge assumptions;
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Build historical vocabulary and communicate ideas confidently, both orally and in writing;
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Make connections across different periods and cultures, reflecting on how past events have shaped modern society.
Ultimately, our history curriculum prepares pupils to be reflective, informed, and curious citizens. By learning about the past, they are better equipped to understand the present and play a thoughtful role in shaping the future.
History Curriculum overview