History is the study of past events and we learn about what happened in the past by looking at sources such as records (like books, newspapers and letters) and artifacts (like pottery, tools and human remains).

Studying history is important because it allows us to understand our past, which in turn allows us to understand our present.

• Learning about history provides us with insights into geography, culture and society - the changing environment and animal life, too.
• It opens our eyes to people, ways of life and cultures with which we might be less familiar. History improves cross-cultural awareness and understanding - making for a greater feeling of being part of a wonderful global community.
• Historical skills improve our decision-making and judgment.
• We can learn from the models of moral good and responsible citizenship.
• Teaches us how to learn from the mistakes of others. May history never repeat itself...
• Understand change and societal development.
• Provides us with a context from which to understand ourselves and others.

Intent

Through this curriculum we intend to inspire pupils to develop a love and passion for history and their talent as historians. In addition, we see history as a vehicle for increasing pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. History is linked to other subjects through cross-curricular topics particularly Geography and English. As pupils progress, they will become more confident at knowing and understanding significant aspects of the history of the wider world. They will learn about diverse, significant individuals from the past and present that have contributed to national and international achievements and changed the way we live today. They will be able to compare and contrast ways of life in the past with ways of life in the present through a range of sources including visitors, trips and museum loans. They will understand the importance of asking perspective questions, thinking critically, weighing evidence, sifting arguments and developing perspective and judgement. Children will become confident at ordering and sequencing events on a timeline and using historical vocabulary.

There are two key aspects to learning:

Substantive knowledge - this is the subject knowledge and vocabulary used about the past. Common misconceptions are explicitly revealed as non-examples and positioned against known and accurate content. 

Disciplinary knowledge – this is the use of that knowledge and how children construct understanding through historical claims, arguments and accounts. The features of thinking historically may involve significance, sources and evidence, continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference and historical interpretations.

Implement

At St. Stephen’s, History is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. We implement our History curriculum using the Lancashire Key Learning documents and is built on the principles of discipinary knowledge in History. Each unit of work has been created using the key learning objectives from each key stage to ensure they progress as they move further up the school. Knowledge of the History curriculum is recapped and revised regularly throughout the lessons to allow children to develop sticky knowledge from previous lessons. History lessons are planned so they link with other areas of the curriculum such as English, Geography and Art so the children can use their skills and knowledge in a number of ways. We are passionate at implementing historical knowledge through the use of books. Children can access a range of History books in our reading area to read for pleasure, our class readers are often related to the current History and topic and texts are implemented in guided reading sessions.  Teachers are able to follow lessons for their year group and lessons are adapted appropriately so every child in every class can be included, access the lessons and gain substantve and disciplinary knowledge. EYFS implement History through the early learning goals Past and Present (Understanding of the world), Literacy, Listening, Communication and Language and links with their current topics. EYFS children regularly access History through provision, use of artefacts and questioning such as ‘What do you think?', ‘How might this work?', 'What has changed?' 'What is the same?' 'Is this old or new?' Use of language relating to time is used regularly and conversations with children using words such as, ‘yesterday', ‘old', ‘past', ‘now' and ‘then'.

Impact

We use the Lancashire Key Learning documents and National Curriculum to create assessment grids with knowledge and skills appropriate for the year group and topic the children are learning. At the end of each topic, key disciplinary points are reviewed by the children and rigorously checked by the teacher and consolidated as necessary. Children also discuss what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic and assess it against the key learning assessment ladders. As children progress through the school, they develop skills and knowledge to become successful historians. By the end of KS2, children will be able to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study. Throughout the year, the History subject leader uses pupil book study to speak to children from different year groups to hear about what they have been learning, what they have enjoyed, what they think could be improved and the impact History has had on them. The feedback from pupil book study allows the History subject leader to develop the scheme of work further.

Any further questions about how we measure the impact in History may be directed towards our History subject leader. 

Equality and diversity

At St Stephen's Primary we are committed to creating a positive historical learning experience for all and we support the Equality Act of 2010 and, as such, believe that all pupils should be exposed to curriculum content and resources which reflect modern Britain.  Pupils are enabled to see themselves and others within the resources used and acquire knowledge and skills, understanding that curriculum content is relevant and has purpose for them. We continue to purchase resources so that all pupils, equally, are encouraged to make best progress possible.

The significant individuals studied in our History curriculum have been carefully selected to ensure they cover a diverse background with a variety of cultures, religions, beliefs, ethnicities and social background. We are focussed on teaching the children that many historical significant achievements have been made by individuals of all diverse backgrounds. The children learn that more diverse cultures are becoming more prominent in today's society compared to in the past and that this is something to celebrate.

Every year, the children enjoy celebrating Black History Month and you can see our wonderful door displays in the link at the bottom of the page.

Access and inclusion

Every child has access to the History curriculum and the Special Education Needs and EAL co-ordinators assist staff to ensure that children have the necessary resources to learn their next steps in learning.  A variety of resources such as additional support staff, laptops, ipads, overlays, coloured paper and enlarged text support individuals to access learning.  We endeavour to ensure that all children make the necessary progress to succeed in their acquisition of History, substantive knowledge, disciplinary knowledge and skills. All children are able to enjoy, succeed and participate in History using a variety of tools such as using Seesaw to record children's knowledge for those who are not as confident in writing. This allows children to show their talent in other ways such as labelling pictures, using role play or recording their disciplinary knowedge orally. We give children the opportunity to visit museums so they can experience history first hand and we are starting to use museum loan boxes so children can access real artefacts. 

Deepening Spirituality

Spirituality is important to us at St Stephens as we aim to implement our school values when learning History by showing perserverence, determination, ambition and inclusion throughout our lessons. We use a variety of resources including audio visual, texts, visits and visitors to enable pupils to understand the world they live in and to reflect on their own identity as well as that of others. A sense of awe and wonder is developed through study of the subject and a celebration for that which enriches the world for all. We encourage our pupils to believe that they can change the world for the better after continuing to acquire knowledge from this curriculum subject.

Assessment

Assessment for learning is continuous throughout the planning, teaching and learning cycle.
Assessment is supported by use of the following strategies:
Observing children at work, individually, in pairs, in a group and in class during whole class teaching.
Using differentiated, open-ended questions that require children to explain and unpick their understanding.
Providing effective feedback, including interactive marking through red pen questions where appropriate, to engage children with their learning and to provide opportunities for self-assessment, consolidation, depth and target setting.
Book moderation and monitoring of outcomes of work, to evaluate the range and balance of work and to ensure that tasks meet the needs of different learners (with the acquisition of the preidentified key knowledge of each topic and skills being evidenced through the outcomes).
Use of the ‘what I know already, what I want to know and what I have learnt’ (KWL) strategy throughout a unit, alongside specific and measurable learning questions for each lesson.
Child and teacher review of both the agreed success criteria at the end each unit, to inform focused consolidation where this is necessary.

Recommended books

Careers in history

There are many exciting careers in History:

Useful websites

https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks2/science/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zkqmhyc

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zcw76sg

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/history/

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history

https://www.britishmuseum.org/

Black History Month 2022

This year we linked Black History Month with Big Draw Month. Each key stage was given a book inspired by diverse artists to read and learn about. Each class created a drawing or a painting inspired by their artist and created fantastic displays.

EYFS: Ashley Bryan’s book - Beautiful Blackbird

KS1 Art From Her Heart - Folk Artist Clementine Hunter 

LKS2 Magic Trash  - A Story Of Tyree Guyton And His Art

UKS2 - Thelma Johnson Streat: Women in Art