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office@priorsmill.org.uk
History
Intent
At Prior’s Mill CE Primary School, we offer a History curriculum which inspires pupils’ curiosity to find out more about Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the history of Britain and how it has influenced and been influenced by the wider world studying areas such as; knowing and understanding about significant aspects of the history of the wider world such as ancient civilisations and empires, changes in living memory and beyond living memory, learning about the lives of significant people of the past, understanding the methods of historical enquiry including looking at various sources of evidence and being able to ask and answer questions. We strive to ensure children enjoy and have a love of history by gaining this knowledge and associated skills, not only through experiences in the classroom but supplemented with educational visits and visitors.
Implementation
At Prior’s Mill CE Primary School, these skills are embedded within History lessons and developed throughout the History curriculum year on year. By the end of their primary education, children have a chronological understanding of British history from Stone Age to the present day. They are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this, is the need to explore world history such as the ancient civilisations of Greece, Egypt and the Mayans.
The content and principles underpinning the History curriculum are taken from the 2014 National Curriculum. We use the National Curriculum Programmes of Study to inform our curriculum planning. Themes are enriched by cross curricular work where appropriate. In Key Stages 1 and 2, our History topics are supported by the Prospectus Curriculum and children study a different topic every term with either a History, Geography or a mixed History and Geography focus. Teachers are also encouraged to use additional material including on-line resources and the History Association, of which we are members. Alongside this, the promotion of a language rich History curriculum is essential to the successful acquisition of knowledge and understanding in History. The promotion and use of an accurate and rich historical vocabulary throughout school is planned for in History in order to support the children to know more and remember more.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance which aims for all children in Reception to have an ‘Understanding of the World; People and Communities and the World and Technology’ by the end of the academic year. In Reception, teaching is through ‘In The Moment’ planning, ultimately driven by the children’s interests and natural curiosity to learn about the past.
Teachers in year group teams plan together to create engaging and informative teaching and learning opportunities which take into account prior learning and then plan for opportunities for assessment and identifying suitable future targets.
Impact
At Prior’s Mill CE Primary School, we endeavour to ensure children are equipped with the historical skills and knowledge which will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We strive to ensure that pupils have thoroughly enjoyed learning about history, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences, both now and in the future, which will support them in acquiring a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.
Download the progression of skills document:
