St Peter's Church of England Primary School

History

Our History subject leader is Mr Taylor.

At St Peter’s, history inspires children’s curiosity to know more about the past. They develop a passion for learning about major people and events from the past and gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Through our teaching units, children are equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement. Children learn about the history of their own locality, Britain and the wider world making connections between these and relating their learning to the modern day.

Enabling our children to ASPIRE in history:

A: At St Peter’s we aim high; our history curriculum is ambitious and takes our pupils on an adventure through 1000s of years of British history, from the Stone Age all the way through to the Norman Conquest. We intend to inspire children’s curiosity to know more about the past. They develop a passion for learning about major people and events from the past and gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Through our teaching units, children are equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement. Children learn about the history of their own locality, Britain and the wider world making connections between these and relating their learning to the modern day.

S: History is taught and valued as a discrete subject at St Peter’s. Our curriculum is sequenced is such a way that the chronology of Britain’s story is taught to children with many asides to different cultures, individuals and periods. Children are natural curious and inquisitive and our history curriculum allows children to explore this curiosity of the past relating this to their own locality, Britain and the wider world. Children investigate and interpret the past, understand chronology, build an overview of Britain’s past as well as that of the wider world, compare and contrast historical figures and events using primary and secondary resources and communicate historically. Pupils know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the nature of ancient civilizations; the expansion and dissolution of empires; characteristic features of past non-European societies; achievements and follies of mankind.

P: St Peter’s promises to promote a deep passion for history to all of its pupils. Units of learning include key learning takeaways which are presented in exciting ways to spark children’s enthusiasm and curiosity. This poses a question to the children that will then be explored throughout the unit. Progressive lessons provide opportunities for children to develop and acquire historical knowledge and skills. Where appropriate, links are made to other subject areas to help children make connections between their learning across the curriculum. Knowledge organisers display the knowledge that children need to know by the end of the unit and teachers use a range of strategies to help children secure their historical learning to long term memory.

I: Inquisitive, independent investigators who enjoy trips out to historical sites and speaking to visiting experts who enjoy first-hand experiences to support and develop their learning. Curriculum enrichment opportunities involve the local community with our historical learning and allow the children to have a clear purpose for their learning e.g. creating a school museum.

R: Our pupils will learn how to retrieve and interpret evidence to help learn about the past of the fascinating world that they live in and become respectful global citizens. As children progress through the school they develop a good understanding about the chronology of British history, significant individuals and events of the past. Children retain knowledge that is pertinent to history with a real life context. The majority of children will achieve age-related expectations in history at the end of their cohort year listed below. Equality is essential at St. Peters, and our inclusive curriculum reflects both the rigour of the National Curriculum but also the parts our nations, peoples and cultures have on our shared history. The past belongs to us all and we hope to reflect this ancient, diverse journey through our passion for the subject.

E: Effective communication is an essential part of history. Our pupils will have the opportunity to present their discoveries in varied ways, including embracing new technologies such as using Chrome books, visual presentations and audio clips. Effective reading will allow our pupils to delve deep into varied historical sources and explore the past using primary and secondary sources.