What is History? 

History education in primary school,  is about gaining 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. 

What type of historian are we trying to develop at Holyport? (INTENT)

We aim to provide our children with a rigorous history curriculum that instils them with the key skills and knowledge to gain an in depth and critical understanding of the past. The school-wide History curriculum is purposefully constructed to allow children to make links between topics and have a good chronology awareness of the past. We want our students to leave Holyport with enquiring minds that have a thirst for learning about the past and analyse it with a critical and open mind.We also aim to enable pupils to consider the moral, social and cultural aspects of their studies in history. 

What is our approach to History at Holyport? (Implementation) 

We take an enquiry-based approach to teaching History whereby each topic and lesson is framed upon a key question that guides the teaching. Across the whole school curriculum, children study the key historical concepts of chronology; significance; change and continuity; cause/consequence and interpretation. These are taught within the historical contexts outlined within the National Curriculum. Our literacy lessons are linked to the topics as much as possible and enrichment activities are planned in order to help immerse the children in the topic helping to make the learning more memorable. There are selected substantive concepts (outlined in the curriculum map) that reoccur in topics across the key stages, which enable children to gain a good understanding of chronology and make links between different periods of history. These links are outlined in each topic overview to ensure teachers understand the children’s prior learning and use timelines to help support their chronological understanding.

Assessments are carried out at the end of each topic which address children’s understanding of the enquiry question. Children within KS2 also undertake a pre-assessment and post-assessment quiz which assesses there prior learning and retention and focusses upon factual and chronological knowledge.

Books are monitored throughout the year and pupil voices are conducted to ensure the content/skills are covered as planned and that children are retaining their knowledge and understanding.

Until last year in Key Stage 1, topics were planned on a two year rolling program (Pre- Reception/Reception; Year 1 and Year 2; Year 3 and Year 4; Year 5 and Year 6). This is the last year of the 2 year rollin gprogramme in Key Stage 2, as we have transitioned to 1 FE.  There is a progression document to support with planning differentiation between the year groups.

We value the connections we make within our local community, and are always seeking to develop working relationships with partners outside of the immediate school to enrich children's learning. If you have any links which may benefit the school, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us! 

Impact (What has been the impact and how do we know?)

The impact of the History curriculum at Holyport can be seen through:

• Clear evidence that our children have shown progress and attainment in line with the National Curriculum
• Our children demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject and can talk with confidence about history
• Our children demonstrate an understanding of a range of historical vocabulary which can be applied confidently
• As historians, our children can use their skills to pose questions, evaluate evidence and draw conclusions

Curriculum Leaders: Lesley Sinclair