History

Curriculum Intent

Our History curriculum is ‘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.’

At St Joseph’s our History curriculum has been designed to cover all of the skills, knowledge and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. Topics are sensitive to children’s interests, as well as the context of the local area. The history curriculum 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. Our curriculum at St Joseph’s aims to ensure that all pupils

  • Gain knowledge of the past and the wider world
  • Understand the lives of people and the process of change and diversity within societies
  • Ask questions and think critically about evidence and arguments throughout history.

Curriculum Implementation

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

Planning is informed by and aligned with the National Curriculum. Teachers have access to further guidance from national agencies, including the History Association, of which the school is a member. 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.

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, Egypt, and Mayan.

Opportunities are created for pupils to experience the history in the local area, such as visits to Arkwright’s Mills in Cromford, the village of Eyam and the study of Whitworth Institute in Darley Dale.

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.

Key knowledge is reviewed by the children using spaced learning and rigorously checked and consolidated by the teacher. History assessment is ongoing throughout the year. Summative assessment is completed at the end of each topic where history objectives have been covered.

Curriculum Impact

At St Joseph’s, Pupil voice shows that pupils are confident and able to talk about what they have learnt in history using subject specific vocabulary. Pupil voice also demonstrates that pupils enjoy history and can recall their learning over time. Pupils work demonstrates that history is taught at an age-appropriate standard across each year group with opportunities planned in for pupils working at greater depth. Work is of good quality and demonstrates pupils are acquiring knowledge, skills and vocabulary in an appropriate sequence.