History
Aim: That pupils understand and learn from the past.
We have designed a vocabulary rich curriculum that connects learning by building an understanding of ideas, concepts, chronology and themes through the framework of ‘here, there and then, now, next’. These thinking threads link learning meaningfully to create opportunities to learn from the past and present as well as equipping children for an ever-changing and exciting future.
History allows us to investigate what happened there and then, to understand the impact it has on the world here and now, and use those lessons to shape the future next.
Our curriculum is structured and supported through the use of a published scheme – Kapow History. We have chosen this scheme to inspire pupils to be curious and creative thinkers who develop a complex knowledge of local and national history and the history of the wider world. Kapow Primary’s History scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of Key stage attainment targets in the National curriculum and the aims also align with those set out in the National curriculum.
We want pupils to develop the confidence to think critically, ask questions, and be able to explain and analyse historical evidence. Through our curriculum, we aim to build an awareness of significant events and individuals in global, British and local history and recognise how things have changed over time. History will support children to appreciate the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and the relationships between different groups. Studying History allows children to appreciate the many reasons why people may behave in the way they do, supporting children to develop empathy for others while providing an opportunity to learn from mankind’s past mistakes. Our History curriculum aims to support pupils in building their understanding of chronology in each year group, making connections over periods of time and developing a chronologically-secure knowledge of History. We hope to develop pupils’ understanding of how historians study the past and construct accounts and the skills to carry out their own historical enquiries. In order to prepare pupils for their future learning in History, our curriculum introduces the key substantive concepts of power, invasion, settlement and migration, empire, civilisation, religion, trade, achievements of humankind, society and culture.
History is taught as a discrete subject in blocked units. When planning and delivering history lessons teachers consider the unique circumstances of Halwin School alongside the needs of the pupils in their class. There are opportunities for assessment build into each lesson, enabling teacher to identify where further reinforcement of key concepts may be required.