Through a range of carefully-chosen topics , the children consider how the past influences the present; what past societies were like; how these societies were organised; their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions.

As they do this, children develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. They see the diversity of human experience, and understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society.

What they learn can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values. In our history curriculum, children find evidence, weigh it up and reach their own conclusions. We provide opportunities to undertake research; sift through evidence and argue their point of view – skills that are prized in adult life.

Having studied historical evidence, pupils are encouraged to react to history and use this knowledge to discuss, present, debate, re-enact and write from different historical perspectives. This embeds and consolidates their understanding of history and its impact on society.

We understand that progression of skills and knowledge from the EYFS to Year 6 is key, and our history topics are planned with this in mind to ensure that children build on their prior knowledge and achieve clear learning outcomes by the end of each history topic. We plan to support children’s ability to engage in effective historical enquiry; to understand links between time periods and events; to think critically and to ask questions and challenge ideas.

In every history topic, children are taught important key knowledge, dates and subject-specific vocabulary and essential background knowledge. They then showcase what they have learnt to someone else.

We use a wide range of texts and resources to engage our children  and we enrich their learning with trips, visits and visitors.

The impact of history teaching is assessed in a variety of ways: pupil voice, work scrutiny and assessment.

The real impact, however is that children will:

• Develop a curiosity and understanding of events, places and people in a variety of times and environments.
• Develop an interest in the past and an appreciation of human achievements and aspirations
• Understand the values of our society
• Learn about the major issues and events in the history of our own country and of the world and how these events may have influenced one another
• Develop a knowledge of chronology within which the children can organise their understanding of the past
• Understand how the past was different from the present and that people of other times and places may have had different values and attitudes from ours
• Understand the nature of evidence by emphasising the process of enquiry and by developing the range of skills required to interpret primary and secondary source materials
• Distinguish between historical facts and the interpretation of those facts
• Understand that events have a multiplicity of causes and that historical explanation is provisional, debatable and sometimes controversial.
• Develop a deepened curiosity about the world around them
• Know to question, rather than accept, what they are being told
• Have the ability to make informed decisions
• Be supported in preparing for living and working in the modern world.