History
Subject Leaders:
Intent of the History Curriculum
In EYFS they start by understanding their own history by talking to their parents and grandparents. It is chronologically in reverse as young children have very little understanding of time so it makes sense to start with their own personal history. They can then progress to understanding more about their parents and grandparents' histories before moving into KS1 where they learn about other aspects of the past. Children will also learn about the world around them and find out about the past through talking to parents, grandparents and friends. They will develop an interest in their own story as well as the stories in their family – this is the beginning of developing an understanding of the past and helps them to learn about how other people are different from them, yet share some of the same characteristics and ideas. Children can talk about their families and their own history, developing an understanding and appreciation that other children have different families than their own.
In Key Stage 1 the history curriculum is intended to help children acquire an understanding of time and of events and people beginning in chronological order. All children should develop an awareness of the past and use historical vocabulary (demonstrated in the knowledge and skill learning objectives). They should start to develop a chronological understanding which can be progressed in Key Stage 2. They will make comparisons between ways of life in different periods. Key Stage 1 also incorporates developing a historical knowledge of lives of significant individuals and significant historical events – this will include events beyond living memory. They will also compare aspects of life in different times and make comparisons between significant individuals from the past. From this, children begin to lay the foundations of historical skills such as using artefacts, first-hand accounts and evidence and video clips to find out about the past. This helps them understand how we find out about the past and how the past is represented. They ask questions about why things happened. By the end of Key Stage 1, children should have acquired historical skills, knowledge and understanding to equip them as historians ready to embrace historical learning in Key Stage 2.
In Key Stage 2, these skills, such as understanding significance, evaluating evidence, identifying cause and effect, assessing point of view, identifying change and continuity, and understanding how we find out about the past – all help children to develop the skills of balanced arguments, accurate fact finding, the reliability of sources of information and how the past has influenced the present. These skills can be applied across the curriculum in other subjects and are also skills which apply in careers later in life such as lawyers, teachers, journalists and curators. It is also important as a life skill for children to question what they read and are told so that they are more questioning of the world around them.
Implementation of the History Curriculum
Understanding of the World is the area of the EYFS curriculum that incorporates History. At this stage in a child’s life learning through play is vital, we have a curriculum that is child-centred and is based upon experiences and opportunities to learn alongside their chosen play, keeping them engaged and motivated. Teachers incorporate the goals within understanding the world during observations of play alongside careful use of questioning. Weekly sessions of PSE allow for focused time on the subject, challenging children to talk about significant event in their lives. As well as exploring family related events. Teachers encourage children to compare and investigate.
In Key Stage 1 and 2 history is taught using Core Knowledge. Core Knowledge is a knowledge led curriculum. All planning is provided, learning objectives, differentiation ideas, key vocabulary and a list of needed resources. The curriculum looks at one British history, one world history and one ancient history topic per year – however we moved around some topics into other year groups in order to suit the year group. Each year group teaches at least one British history unit, usually within the autumn term. All teaching and learning is sequenced chronologically across the whole school. For example, prehistoric history is taught in year 2 moving on to World War 2 in year 6. This is done so that children have a better understanding of the chronology of History, with the skills remaining the same from Year 1 to Year 6 so that the children can develop on these as their History knowledge develops.
Impact of the History Curriculum
At Warren Mead the impact of the EYFS Curriculum is that all children make good progress from their individual starting points towards the Early Learning Goals at the end of Reception which includes Understanding of the World. All children get the best possible start to their school life and develop the knowledge and skills to reach and exceed their potential in KS1. They develop and nurture strong, positive attitudes where they become proud and respectful of themselves, others and their environment. Looking at their history and their families and comparing this to their peers help them to be respectful and understanding. They develop the skills to become successful lifelong learners across the curriculum.
By the end of Key Stage 1 children have an excitement and curiosity about the past. They should have a good understanding of their own story and the past of people in their family. They will have knowledge of early historical events. Topics within Key Stage 1 also build on previous knowledge enabling children to embed and retain their knowledge. They will have the foundations of historical skills that they will then build on in KS2. Overall, their historical knowledge has progressed from their personal history and the histories of those close to them to significant events and individuals in their lifetime and beyond living memory. The basis of knowledge and skills children gain in Key Stage 1 enables children to transition to KS2 ready to deepen their knowledge and extend their skills as historians.
Key Stage 2 follows the same journey of developing historical knowledge alongside their Historical skills. These skills will be progressed from KS1 and children will now question historical evidence by looking at source bias, making comparisons and judging significance. Children should learn a mixture of British, world and ancient history until they arrive at their most recent topic of WW2 in Year 6. Cross curricular links should be made with chronological reports in English, alongside art and drama activities for the children to get a sense of important individuals and the significance of historical events.
PRIMARY-national-curriculum-History.pdf2
