Intent

Our children will develop the following essential characteristics to help them become historians:

• An excellent knowledge and understanding of people, events and contexts from a range of historical periods, including significant events in Britain’s past,
• The ability to think critically, form opinions and communicate ideas about historical events and people who have made a difference through their actions, discoveries and inventions,
• The ability to support, evaluate and challenge their own and others’ views using historical evidence from a range of sources,
• An understanding that historical evidence is reported in many forms and to develop the ability to make critical use of information to support their learning,
• The ability to think, reflect, debate, discuss and evaluate the past by formulating and refining questions and lines of inquiry,
• A desire to embrace challenging activities, including opportunities to undertake high-quality research across a range of history topics,
• A developing sense of curiosity about the past and how and why people interpret the past in different ways.

Implentation

We will implement these intentions through following the guidance of the National Curriculum closely, with history being taught in chronological sequencing. Links will be made to locality and significant individuals who are identified as having made a difference and left a legacy. Some areas of inquiry across KS1 will be revisited in KS2 to help pupils develop links and understanding between historical periods and how they interlink through developing a wider understanding as they move up the school.

Teachers will plan appropriate trips out of school in order for children to gain knowledge and understanding through practical experiences. External visitors will be encouraged to visit school to link with the children’s learning and help develop the keen minds of historical inquiry among our pupils.

Impact

Emphasis is placed on children gaining a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Children develop a deep curiosity about the world they live in and are enthusiastic about learning more about the past and how it has impacted on their lives today. Through this study, pupils learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.