History
The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.
Theodore Roosevelt
Our History Curriculum
Intent
At Our Lady and St Edward’s, our intent is for our pupils to:
- Become increasingly critical and analytical thinkers
- Possess a secure understanding of the chronology of the British Isles and other important periods of History
- To discover links and connections to the History they learn and the wider community and locality
- Further their knowledge and explanations of change and continuity over time with regards to the history of the British Isles and other societies and epochs
- Draw on similarities and differences within given time frames and across previously taught History
Implementation
The teaching, learning and sequencing of the History curriculum follows an enquiry based focus:
- In KS1, the Historical skills will focus on the world around them and their living memory of History before moving to events that go beyond living history. Each unit is started by making links to other periods studied. Thus developing a secure understanding of chronology. This will ensure a firm foundation for KS2 History.
- In KS2, the History curriculum is thematic and at the beginning of each new unit, the teacher will revisit, recap and consolidate prior units studied with a focus on chronology and historical vocabulary.
- The progression of skills is set out in order to build and develop the following:
- Chronological Understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past
- Communication
- Interpretations of History
- Historical Enquiry
- Lessons will develop long term memory by allowing for repetition of learning within the year and year on year.
- Specific historical vocabulary is taught within the unit and reinforced throughout the year.
Through the use of historical artefacts and a clear focus on enquiry children will present their ideas about the past in ways such as: using different genres of writing, drawing, diagrams, data-handling, drama, role-play, storytelling, music and using ICT.
Impact
- Children will become increasingly critical and analytical within their thinking. Making informed and balanced judgements based on their knowledge of the past.
- Children will become increasingly aware of how historical events have shaped the world that they currently live in.
- They will also have a further understanding of History on a local level and on a small-scale.
- Children will develop enquiry skills to pursue their own interests within a topic and further questioning.
- Where applicable, children will have encountered or participated in high-quality visits/visitors to further appreciate the impact of History.
Children are to retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning with a growing historical vocabulary.
Useful Documents
Knowledge Organisers
Latest News
Victorian Toys
Year 1 have been learning about Victorian Toys. They have been exploring the different types of toys that were used during the Victorian times and comparing these to the toys we commonly use today. Children described and demonstrated how the toys were used. We enjoyed...
Museum Day
Today, our school was transformed into Our Lady and St Edward's History Museum! Every classroom became an interactive exhibition, displaying artefacts and models to help us travel back in time and immerse ourselves in different eras and locations around the world....
The Anglo-Saxons
Year 6 took us on an interactive journey back in time to discover all about the Anglo Saxons. Through quizes and crafts, we learnt all about the clothing, jobs and hobbies of the Anglo Saxons.
Kindertransport and The Holocaust
The children in Year 5 taught us all about Kindertransport and The Holocaust. They shared some powerful artwork and heartfelt interpretations of farewell letters from children who were being taken away from their parents to find safety during the war.
Ancient Greeks
In Year 4, the children have been learning about the Ancient Greeks. The children, dressed in chalmys and chiton, taught us about the different artefacts. They had created model parthenons, which was a building dedicated to the goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens,...
The Ancient Egyptians
In Year 3, we travelled back to the Ancient Egyptians. The children taught us all about the gruesome process of mummification and explained the use of Canopic Jars. They talked about the lives of women in Ancient Egypt and showed us the type of clothes they might...
Victorian Seaside
In Year 2, the children have been learning about the Victorian Seaside. They compared a trip to the beach in Victorian times to what typically happens today. The children looked at beachwear from the Victorian era and the beachwear we see more commonly in 2023. We...
