History
Excalibur Academies Trust’s Curriculum Intent
Our pupils will develop a curiosity and a love of History. Through our teaching, they will develop a strong understanding of chronology, and periods of history, including the links and concepts between and within them. Throughout our enquiries, our pupils will secure strong historical skills including their ability to: investigate and interpretate the past; evaluate evidence; communicate effectively. As our pupils move through school, from nursery to the time they leave sixth form, we will teach them to think like an historian, to have secure knowledge, and an appreciation of a range of past, diverse peoples.
“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” Theodore Roosevelt
Our Intent
The study of history ignites children’s curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. As such, May Park Primary School aims to provide a high-quality history education that develops both our children’s knowledge and understanding of our world, past and present, and their disciplinary skills. Using historical enquiries, children will grow chronological narratives of local and wider world events. Through finding out about how and why the local community, culture, our country and our world have developed over time, children understand how the past influences the present. Furthermore, the history curriculum at May Park supports children to develop a context for their growing sense of identity. Together these knowledge and skills will develop our children’s critical thinking and help them to question the influences of the past on decisions today.
When studying History, May Park pupils:
- Celebrate the achievement of making good progress in our historical understanding
- Learn to show respect for other cultures and the world around us both past and present
- Explore equality issues through the study of cultural awareness and diversity
- Show curiosity about the past, the impact the past has had on lives today and how this can inform future decisions
- Are creative in exploring and presenting their learning
- Show resilience in disciplinary skills
Implementation
Historical substantive and disciplinary knowledge are taught through an enquiry approach. Each enquiry will have a main subject focus as well as complimentary, subsidiary foci. These are mapped out through the long-term curriculum plans ensuring coverage of the National Curriculum.
Key concepts have been identified within History and these are built on year by year as the pupils progress through the curriculum.
- Chronology
- Historical terms
- Interpretation of history
- Historical enquiry
- Continuity and change
- Cause and consequence
- Similarity and difference
- Significance of events and people
In every historical enquiry, children develop their historical skills. Children take on the role of historian as the state of being which is central to our enquiry curriculum approach.
Impact
Teachers assess consistently to inform their teaching and planning. Each enquiry builds towards a project which is shared with others. This demonstrates what pupils have learnt through the enquiry.
