Intent

History is held in high regard at Holy Trinity and indeed the school’s own rich history, within the context of the local area, is a celebrated feature of the school. 

Topics are informed by the national curriculum and are sensitive to children’s interests, as well as the context of the local area. The history curriculum at Holy Trinity is carefully planned and structured to ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning and that the school’s approaches are informed by current pedagogy. In line with the national curriculum 2014, the curriculum at Holy Trinity aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world which helps to stimulate pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past;
• Are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement;
• Begin to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.

Implementation

History is taught weekly in half-term blocks throughout the year, so that children achieve depth in their learning. The key knowledge and skills that children acquire and develop throughout each unit have been mapped to ensure progression between year groups throughout the school. At the beginning of each new history topic, teachers refer to classroom timelines to develop children’s understanding of chronology. Each topic is introduced with reference to the chronology of previous topics (including those from previous years).

From the first lesson of every unit the children have their own copy of the Knowledge Organiser (KO) for the period of history being studied and this is referred to regularly during the unit. Alongside the KO, regular low stake quizzes help to develop and consolidate existing and key  knowledge. By the end of Year 6, children will have a chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day. They are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this are studies of world history, such as the ancient civilisations of Greece and the Egyptians.

Planning is informed by and aligned with the National Curriculum and in addition, staff have access to HT history unit plans and resources. The history curriculum is designed to ensure appropriate diversity in the significant figures that children learn about. Teachers’ cater for the varying needs of all learners, differentiating activities where necessary and as appropriate, and ensuring an appropriate level of challenge. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance which aims for all children in reception to have an ‘Understanding of the World; people and communities, the world and technology’ by the end of the academic year.