History

'History is the study of the past and how it has changed over time, specifically the people, societies, events and problems of the past as well as our attempts to understand them.'

Intent

At Ninfield CE Primary School, our History curriculum will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world to build respect, appreciation, and pride of their country. We aim for it to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past which in turn will develop their understanding of key historical events. 

Our curriculum encourages pupils to think like historians and develop their skills including historical enquiry. Through these skills, children will ask perceptive questions, think critically, analyse evidence, sift arguments, appreciate different perspectives and develop informed judgements through their knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on developing children’s other skills such as understanding of chronology, interpretations of evidence, changes within and across time periods and cause and consequence.

At Ninfield, we aim for progression to be planned in knowledge, skills and vocabulary so that all pupils have the capability to become successful historians. The progression grid carefully builds on prior learning so that children can make sense of the subject and allows for cross curricular links to be made. 

It is our intent at Ninfield to use local history wherever possible as well as going on school visits and inviting visitors into school to enable the children to gain first hand experiences to support their learning.

Implementation

• At Ninfield Church of England Primary School, history is taught in every year group and has been mapped out so every child meets the statutory requirement of the National Curriculum.
• The children in Key Stage 1 and Early Years will access the same curriculum each year due to being a straight form class. They will study history within living memory (the last 100 years), beyond living memory and a range of local, national and international history. Three terms out of the year will be a history focus with a further term having a history and geography focus running alongside each other.
• In Key Stage 2, the curriculum map follows a two-year cycle that ensures the National Curriculum is fully covered across a school with mixed classes that can change from year to year. This will ensure every child will access the requirements of the subject no matter which path they take through KS2. Three out of the six terms will be a history focus.
• We have developed a progression of skills with each year group, which enables pupils to build on and develop their skills each year.
• In EYFS pupils are encouraged to develop their knowledge of Understanding the World through discussion, continuous provision and hands on experiences and learning can be guided by children’s interests.
• In order to support children in their ability to know more and remember more, we aim to provide opportunities wherever possible for children to review the learning that has taken place in previous topics as well as previous lessons and make connections between them.
• At the start of each topic, children will review previous learning and will have the opportunity to share what they already know about a current topic.
• Planning for all units should cover key historical concepts: Chronological understanding, Historical knowledge, Historical interpretation, Historical enquiry and organisation and communication.
• Children are given opportunities, where possible, to study artefacts leading to enquiry, investigation, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and presentation.
• We plan for effective use of educational visits and visitors, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experience and the History curriculum.
• Teachers use highly effective Assessment for Learning at different points in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed.
• Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning objectives, with misconceptions addressed within it.
• Cross-curricular links are planned for, with other subjects such as maths, writing, computing and art.
• Educational, immersive displays that answer key enquiry questions help to create a rich learning environment for each History focus.

Impact

• Most children will achieve at least age-related expectations in History at the end of their cohort year.
• Children will retain and apply knowledge of disciplinary skills that are age and stage appropriate.
• Children will be able to question ideas and reflect on knowledge.
• Children will work collaboratively and practically to investigate enquiry questions.

This will be seen by:

• Observing history teaching and learning.
• Children being confident to ‘have a go’ and are using a range of appropriate vocabulary and key skills.
• Seeing engaged and enthused children during their lessons.
• Talking to our children about their history learning.
• Looking at children’s workbooks and displays around the school.

 History Curriculum Overview

History Key Skills