Charford First School
History
Intent
To inspire pupils' curiosity about the past, in order that they might gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. The teaching of History should equip pupils to ask questions and develop perspective and judgement. Pupils should understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and challenges of their time.
A Charford Historian will:
Be curious about the past and show chronological understanding.
Ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
Understand how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world.
Make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically-valid questions and create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses.
Implementation
At Charford, our History curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all of our pupils, ensuring the curriculum objectives are met. We do this through:
Following a whole-school curriculum – This covers a range of topics, historical figures and questions which shows progression through the years. We ensure that children are explicitly taught and made aware of what the term ‘History’ means and during lessons teachers model using the correct vocabulary e.g. BC, empire, civilisation. The promotion of correct use of historical vocabulary is essential to the successful acquisition of knowledge and understanding in history. We aim to look at the decisions made in the past and how we might learn from or develop them in the future.
Half-termly units – History is taught during 3 half terms throughout the year in each year group and complements the theme.
Good quality lessons - To ensure that each theme is in line with our school approach of a ‘dilemma’-driven curriculum, there is a key question introduced at the start of the theme. It remains the focus throughout the topic and by the end, the children will be able to answer it confidently. We aim to deliver activities that are differentiated to meet the needs of all children – this may be via support, word banks or challenges to delve deeper into a theme.
A broad subject matter - children will be taught about the significant aspects of history of the wider world, the work of a range of historians, chronological narrative from the earliest times to the present day and how it has influenced Britain, and the wider world. As the children progress through the school, they will be exposed to a range of more higher order questioning encouraging them to think more critically and develop their curiosity.
Cross-curricular Links – It is important that children have the opportunity to explore a full and balance curriculum and that links can be made across different subject areas.
Showing progression – All children have Theme Books which are used to record their prior knowledge, enquiry questions and what they have learnt. Each lesson builds towards answering the overarching historical question set at the start of the theme. Throughout each unit, children are able to answer their own questions using a range of sources and are encouraged to develop their historical enquiry.
Celebrating History - At Charford, we celebrate and value the work that the children produce by displaying items linked to the theme in the classroom. We share home projects and further learning children may have undertaken at home.
Programme of Study and Long-Term Plan