History

Our history curriculum inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the past and how it has shaped the world they live in. The curriculum equips pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. The curriculum is designed with knowledge underpinning the following themes: social, cultural, technology, trade and conflict. Pupils build knowledge and make connections within these themes as they progress through the curriculum.  

Our curriculum aims to build pupils’ substantive and disciplinary knowledge progressively over time which are inter-linked throughout each unit. Pupils gain a substantive knowledge (facts) in local, British and global history through the historical themes. They gain competency in disciplinary knowledge (skills) through understanding the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used to form opinion and fact and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed. 

Through our history curriculum, pupils understand their place in the world and the long story of human development. Their study of history challenges them to make sense of the striking similarities and vast differences in human experiences across time and place. Our history curriculum enables pupils to gain knowledge of chronology, from the earliest times to the present day. This helps them to understand how past events have influenced the world we live in today. 

Pupils think critically about how knowledge of the past is formed and why certain sources can be interpreted in different ways. Using the combination of disciplinary and substantive knowledge, pupils build the capacity to construct historical arguments and analyse historical sources.  

Substantive knowledge sets out the content that pupils will learn: 

• Chronology
• Significant people and events
• Similarities and differences
• Historical sources
• Historical enquiry
• Subject specific vocabulary

Pupils also learn about influential people who have impacted on the world in which we live. These include archaeologists, leaders or inventors. These inspire pupils to consider future professions and helps them to understand how people can leave a legacy.   

We promote the cultural development of pupils by developing their understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others. Pupils also gain knowledge of Britain’s democratic Parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain.