History Curriculum
Intent
The teaching of History intends to prepare each child for their next phase of education, whilst at the same time giving all children a broad and balanced view of the history of Britain and of other societies and epochs. Through this, the children will develop a broad and informed knowledge of the past and its events, thus enhancing their cultural capital and understanding of both the world around them and their own heritage. History at St. Robert Southwell aims to be ambitious and motivating. Ambitious in our coverage of History and thorough teaching of Historical skills; motivating, through engaging activities, trips and visitors that give all students an opportunity to question the past.
At St. Robert Southwell, we have designed our History curriculum with the intent that our children will:
- Become increasingly critical and analytical thinkers.
- Possess a secure understanding of the chronology of the British Isles and other import periods of history.
- To discover links and connections to the history they learn and the wider community and locality.
- Further their knowledge and explanations of change and continuity over time, with regards to the history of the British Isles and other societies and epochs.
- Differentiate between source types and explain how interpretations in history may differ.
- Draw on similarities and differences within given time frames and across previously taught history.
- Enquire in to historical themed questions and form their own opinions and interpretation of the past.
- Grow in the understanding that the study of history is an opportunity to unite faith and reason and to recover a distinctly Catholic perspective that sees God acting in the past, present and future.
Implementation
The curriculum is led and overseen by the subject leader. The subject leader’s regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review and the celebration of good practice will contribute to the ongoing commitment to continued improvement.
The teaching, learning and sequencing of the History curriculum follows:
A blocked curriculum approach has been implemented to ensure coverage and progression in all skills relating to History. Moreover, there is an opportunity at the end of year to revisit historical skills that need further consolidation and to use new knowledge to reinforce prior skills.
The progression of skills is set out in order to build and develop the following:
- Chronological understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past
- Connection and historical Links
- Interpretations of history
- Historical enquiry
- Children are taught the sequence of skills and knowledge that are the components to a composite outcome.
- Lessons will develop long term memory by allowing for repetition of learning within the year and year on year.
Impact
Children will become increasingly critical and analytical with their thinking- making informed and balanced judgements based on their knowledge of the past.
Children will become increasingly aware of how historical events have shaped the world that they currently live in.
They will also have a further understanding of history on a local level and on a small-scale.
Children will develop enquiry skills to pursue their own interests within a topic.
Where applicable, children will have encountered or participated in high-quality visits/visitors to further appreciate the impact of history.
Children are to retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning.