INTENT 

At St Anselm’s we value the opportunities history has to offer and the role it plays in our lives today and the future.  The curriculum is designed to provide learning opportunities which meet the requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 which are broad and balanced, relevant to our pupils, inclusive and ignite a life-long-love of historical learning. We aim, wherever possible, to link learning in this subject to other areas of the curriculum, such as English, computing and art whilst at the same time providing pupils with opportunities to develop the personal attributes of our unique Rainbow Curriculum.

‘Inspire to Aspire’

Throughout their learning, children will be learning about important figures who have influenced history and key historians whose work relates to the area being studied in the topic. As far as possible, these inspirational figures will represent all genders, celebrating and recognising the contribution of people from all cultures to society.

IMPLEMENTATION

Through a variety of activities the pupils are taught about British, world and local history, increasing their awareness of the past. Key knowledge and skills have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups.

In KS1 there are 4 units with a history focus.

In KS2 there are 8 units with a history focus.

When learning a topic pupils are taught:

• historical knowledge- knowing the time period or historical figure studied in depth
• chronological understanding-  placing the time studied in relevant contexts for each year group
• specific vocabulary-  using vocabulary related to the time appropriately
• interpretations of history- examining and identifying relevant sources
• historical enquiry-  asking and answering questions about the time period
• organisation and communication- deciding how best to show their learning.

IMPACT

We ensure that pupils:

•  gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world
•  are equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgments
•  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

The high quality history curriculum ensures that pupils communicate effectively to ask historical questions and make informed choices about the best sources to use to answer the questions posed. They have a good understanding of how the present has been shaped by people and events in the past and how people (including themselves) and events today will have an impact on the future.