History

‘History is who we are and why we are the way we are.’ David McCullough (1933)

‘History gives answers only to those who know how to ask questions.’ Majo Halborn (1902 – 1969)

Why is it important to teach History? 

Our History curriculum provides a clear and comprehensive ‘chronological’ curriculum that supports children’s understanding and appreciation of events that are not in living memory. We aim to provide rich experiences from guest speakers to educational visits that enhance learning and bring the historical elements of history to life. We encourage children to freely question and ask openly about historical events. Teaching children historical skills across the curriculum which allows them to explore history in a range of different contexts, media and experiences will help open minds and understand that history can influence the actions of generations to come. Children will learn the importance of historical events, people and places and how learning about them can determine future decisions. We aim for children to understand when events took place and that they will not always reflect the ways things happen now but could have influenced them. By placing events in a chronological order, we aim to give children an understanding of when things happened and how they could have affected events that proceeded.

Key Concepts:

•          To question history and its morals and values between then and now.
•          Understand historical impacts on the current day.
•          Take part in experiences that enable children to understand events that are beyond living memory.
•          Appreciate current day events as a ‘new history’.
•          To be able to place events on a timeline of history.

Curriculum Design

Our history curriculum provides children with the tools to be curious, freely ask questions and use research and experiences to understand the impact history has on modern day. By sharing information and accounts through a range of experiences, and media, allows children to imagine what people of certain times may have experienced and allow them to consider how modern history has changed because of those events and recounts.

•          Produce timelines about historical aspects
•          Write recounts considering the views and opinions of people of the ‘day’ by putting themselves in the shoes of someone else.
•          Use diaries, research and experiences to gain a greater understanding of history.
•          Visit places that offer a rich experience which enhances understanding of historical aspects.
•          Take part in role-play opportunities which support historical life.