History
Intent:
At London Meed, we aim to deliver a History curriculum that is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more. It will allow children to link their historical learning to other areas of the curriculum, making this learning more meaningful. Children are given the opportunity to make comparisons with their own lives and to examine artefacts where possible; helping them to feel a connection to events, experiences and people from the past.
Our children will: be inquisitive about the past and curious to discover more; gain a secure knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world; think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement; develop a sense of identity through learning about the past and understand how history has shaped their own lives; make comparisons between historical periods previously taught, developing children’s chronological knowledge and understanding from the Stone Age to present day.
In History, we incorporate our core values (Bravery, Community, Curiosity, Resilience and Respect) to ensure that our children develop as life-long learners and responsible citizens. Through Quality First Teaching and having high expectations, we ensure all children (including disadvantaged and SEND) are accessing the curriculum by constantly reviewing and adapting teaching.
Implementation:
We have a coherent and sequenced curriculum building progression of knowledge and skills every year. In EYFS children will begin to learn about the passing of time, related to their own lives and will be encouraged to notice similarities and differences. As children progress to Key Stage 1 they begin to develop their understanding of ‘the past’, learning about people and events and how aspects of life have changed over time; comparing these to their own lives. In Key Stage 2 children begin to learn more about different periods of time, comparing similar aspects of life across time periods. At London Meed, we do not teach key periods of history chronologically, instead matching them to year groups based on their content and whether we feel pupils will engage best. However, children are taught to link eras and time periods to their overall understanding of chronological history. They have access to, and are able to handle artefacts where possible to enrich their learning and go on visits to museums and places of interest. They have access to secondary sources such as books and photographs and are able to use non-fiction books and the internet for research.
Impact:
Children at London Meed are confident and able to talk about their historical enquiry using subject specific vocabulary. They are inquisitive learners and know how to research answers to further their own learning, using a range of different sources. By the end of Year 6, children have a chronological understanding of British History from the Stone Age to the present day. They have a strong understanding of chronology and can compare different aspects of life across time periods. They are equipped with historical knowledge and skills that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. Our children will have developed secure substantive knowledge and concepts, alongside disciplinary knowledge and concepts, so that they see themselves as Historians.