History at St. Mary’s 2022/2023
Intent Statement
Through the study of history, St. Mary’s children will develop an understanding of the challenges faced in the past; how the world has changed and how, with knowledge, they can be empowered to shape their own future and that of others.
Rationale and our learning sequence
The National Curriculum for England states the following:
“A high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching should equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils 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.”
At St. Mary’s we have developed our history curriculum to ensure that at all stages of their learning journey our children are equipped with the following skills:
- From the learning of their own personal history in EYFS to learning about the impact of World War II in year 6 children develop a sense of identity.
- Children develop an understanding of the chronological narrative of British history from earliest times to the present day and how Britain has both influenced and been influenced by the wider world. The study of significant people from history both nationally and internationally supports learning and gives context.
- Children develop skills of historical enquiry using primary and secondary sources of evidence in order to understand historical concepts such as cause and consequence, stability and change.
- Enable children to reflect on how decisions in the past nationally and internationally affect their lives today.
This learning is supported by enrichment activities including in school and off site educational visits focused on different units of study including interactive experiences such as the year 5 trip to the Ragged School Museum where children and staff attend in period costume and have a Victoria lesson. Our history curriculum overview tracks the sequence of learning for our children and seeks to build on prior learning at all stages of the learning journey so that children are able to refer to prior learning experiences when accessing new learning and deepening skills and understanding over time.