History

Our History curriculum aims to inspire our pupils’ curiosity to know more about Britain’s past and that of the wider-world. History helps pupils to understand the process of change and continuity, the diversity of societies and how historical people and events have impacted our society today – and prepare them for the future.

At Woodlands, our pupils will learn about the actions and motives of key people, nations and civilisations – their achievements and mistakes, and the impact of each, over time. Through our substantive concepts, which are the building blocks of progress in history, pupils will acquire knowledge of different cultures, beliefs and values and how they were shaped. Our history curriculum will equip the children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgment. We want our pupils to develop an understanding of themselves and others by reflecting upon similarities, differences and diversity and how we live in an interdependent global world.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure key knowledge and skills progress in a logical and sequenced way, thus enabling pupils to revisit previously taught content and to build upon it year on year. We use carefully structured progression documents to ensure that substantive and disciplinary knowledge and skills are clearly outlined and sequenced, thus enabling the children to know and remember more, as they move through school.

Woodlands’ History Curriculum Substantive Concepts are

Civilisation Conflict Monarchy Power Religion

Society Invasion Culture Legacy Achievement

At Woodlands, we aim to enhance our pupils learning and understanding of History through a range of visits and experiences.

Intent

At Woodlands Primary School, our history curriculum aims to inspire our pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. History helps pupils to understand the process of change and continuity, the diversity of societies and how historical people and events have impacted our society today.

At Woodlands, our history curriculum will equip the children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgment.

We aim for the children to be able to articulate their historical knowledge and embed the learning so this can be transferable from year to year – within history and on a cross curricular basis. We want them to have been given the opportunity to achieve the key skills and knowledge in History in a range of ways and in different contexts – which is built on year upon year.

As pupils progress through the curriculum, they should have a growing understanding of chronology, they should be able to consider the significance of events in the past and apply this to the world around them. We want our children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining knowledge and skills not just in the classroom environment but within the local community and beyond. Woodlands aims to prepare the children to be well rounded individuals- who have a good powerful, knowledge within History – and can transfer this knowledge within different contexts. At Woodlands, we want the children to achieve a wide range of knowledge and skills of History and have enjoyed the subject area and being historians.

Implementation

At Woodlands Primary School, we follow the History Curriculum that is specified in the National Curriculum 2014 and the Early Years and the Foundation Stage (EYFS) (September 2021). These frameworks set out the breadth and depth of study and the skills and attributes for learning that children need to acquire and experience. EYFS and Year 1 key skills are completed through Enquiry Based Learning directed by discussions with children to cover all other curriculum objectives fluidly throughout the year.

History is covered with a focus on key skills and knowledge across the school within History lessons and within our Literacy lessons, we use quality texts and writing genres , which are linked to our History curriculum. Therefore, children are fully engaged with learning about History as they are immersed in it and linking it to the present day. Alongside the themes that are covered within History, the long term plan ensures a natural flow and progression of History knowledge and skills – ensuring all areas of the national curriculum are specifically covered and in greater depth. In order for children to know and understand more in each area of history studied, there is a structure to the lesson sequence whereby prior learning is always considered and opportunities are given to recall previous learning and make comparisons ensuring the learning is purposeful and built upon each year. Throughout the school, we have clear substantive concepts ( the subject matter of History and the substance about which students are learning). These are covered throughout the year groups so the understanding of the concept isn’t just seen in one theme. Teachers plan lessons using the long term plan , with key questions, to clearly meet the national curriculum objectives specifically given in a number of ways and use the substantive concepts to underpin the learning , build on prior learning and develop the learning further. Alongside the long term plan, teachers use the progression document to ensure that researching and communicating findings progress alongside concepts of change, continuity, causation, consequence, similarity, difference and significance. Through revisiting and consolidating these processes, children will build on prior knowledge to develop new skills and challenges.

Impact

At Woodlands, the children will have a good knowledge and skills within History and they will be able to transfer this knowledge within different contexts. After we have inspired their historical learning, our children will be able to have the skills to always have their minds open to new learning. By the time they leave Woodlands, our children will be able to be critical - evaluating sources and artefacts as well as the thoughts and ideas of their peers. Ou children will be able to participate in collaborative learning to further their understanding as well as complete independent historical enquiries. Woodlands children will have experienced a wide range of historical periods and will be able to talk about these- demonstrating an understanding of chronology and interconnectivity. Most importantly, children at Woodlands will have built a passion for History. Our children will leave Woodlands as young historians, equipped with the skills, understanding and most importantly enthusiasm for the subject.