Intent

At St Mary’s, we help our children to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We foster their curiosity to know more about the past and equip them to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps them to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of communities and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.

Implementation

Our children learn key facts and concepts alongside skills such as chronology, characteristic features, continuity and change, cause and consequence, historical significance, historical interpretation and historical enquiry.

• Year R/1 – Changes within living memory, significant individuals

• Year 2/3 – Local history, events beyond living memory, Stone Age-Iron Age, Roman Britain

• Year 4/5 – Saxons, Vikings, Ancient Egypt, Local History, post 1066 thematic study

• Year 6 – Ancient Maya, Ancient Greece

Our children's historical learning in Key Stage One starts with the familiar: their own pasts and those of their families. The children then explore the role of key historical events and figures. As our children's learning travels further back in time, History is brought to life through re-enactments, topic days, trips and visitors. These experiences help to fire the children's imaginations and enable them to understand how history has impacted on life today. In Key Stage Two, the story of Britain is compared with studies of ancient civilizations. Our children express their learning through drama, art, discussion and writing.

Impact

When children leave the school, their learning in history will have equipped them with knowledge of a broad period of local, British and world history, together with an excellent range of historical skills. As they have progressed, their growing historical knowledge will have helped them to understand how communities and places have changed over time and they have gained wisdom about how the past shapes lives.

Curriculum Drivers

Environmental Stewardship

By studying historical events, our children develop an understanding of how past societies interacted with their environments. We build on this knowledge to teach our children the importance of sustainable practices, highlighting lessons from history about the impact of environmental management on the rise and fall of civilizations, thereby fostering a sense of responsibility to protect our planet for future generations.

Global Mindset, Diversity and Inclusion

Through our history curriculum, we aim to foster a global mindset by teaching our children about cultures and significant events from around the world, promoting an understanding of, and respect for, different perspectives. This awareness of historical diversity and inclusion helps children appreciate the interconnectedness of human experiences, encouraging empathy and inclusivity in their own lives.

Play-Based Learning

Our history curriculum is enhanced through play-based learning, allowing students to engage with historical concepts through interactive activities such as role-playing, simulations, and games. These hands-on experiences, including trips and visitors, make history more relatable and memorable, helping children better understand and retain information about past events and societies.

Belonging

At St. Mary’s, our history curriculum strives to promote a sense of belonging by connecting our children to their cultural heritage and collective past. Learning about the history of their community, country, and ancestors helps our children develop a sense of identity and belonging, fostering pride in their roots and a deeper understanding of their place in the world.

Inspiration and Aspiration

Our history curriculum inspires our children through learning the stories of remarkable individuals and pivotal events, which in turn sparks their curiosity. This inspiration can fuel their aspirations, motivating them to pursue their own goals and dreams, and to make positive contributions to society, just as historical figures have done.

Spiritual Development

At St. Mary’s, we foster spiritual development through history by exploring the beliefs, values, and traditions of various cultures throughout time, helping our children appreciate different spiritual perspectives. Understanding historical contexts of spiritual practices encourages a deeper reflection on their own beliefs and values, developing a sense of connectedness and empathy towards others.

Communication and Storytelling

Our history curriculum enhances communication and storytelling skills by encouraging our children to recount historical events and share narratives about past societies and significant figures. Through written tasks, drama and role play, our children learn to effectively retell historical information and perspectives, making the past come alive through storytelling.