At High Halstow Primary Academy, it is our aim to encourage our pupils to develop an appreciation and understanding of the past. Our intention is to improve every pupil’s cultural and historical understanding of the world around them, including their own heritage.
We use the PYP framework as a way of delivering a history curriculum with appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding, as set out in the National Curriculum History Programmes of Study. We aim to provide an interesting and varied curriculum that interests and intrigues our children while meeting the needs of all backgrounds, cultures and abilities. Local history and heritage are an integral part of our children’s learning as it allows them to look at what was happening in their local area and then move from local to national, then finally global events.
From EYFS up to the end of KS2, the children will be taught about a range of historical events, where they take place within a historical timeline and famous historical figures who have shaped the world today. We will, where possible, link History to other subject areas, however skills are taught discretely where necessary. We monitor progress regularly through learning walks, book looks and discussions with pupils.
At High Halstow, we maintain strong links to the National Curriculum guidelines to ensure all aspects, knowledge and skills of History (Chronological Understanding, Knowledge and Interpretation and Historical Enquiry and Perspective) are being taught across the academy. We use Subject Progression Maps to ensure there is clear skills, knowledge and vocabulary progression throughout school.
It is essential to excite and intrigue children to find out more about events and people from the past, therefore we make use of historical artefacts, visitors, workshops and visits. We aim to give our children as much understanding as possible about what it was like to be around at a particular period in history by having practical and experiential lessons where possible.
We use assessment for learning within all lessons to ensure that teaching and learning is relevant and will help to plan for next steps. As part of our termly planning meetings, we reflect on the skills already taught and make plans to ensure next steps of learning are taken in a timely manner.
Through the high quality teaching of History taking place, we will see the impact of the subject in different ways.
Through pupil voice, children will be able to talk about the skills and knowledge they have acquired. Children will be engaged in their learning and want to find out more. Children will complete research independently through projects and homework and to further their own enjoyment about the subject or topic covered in the Transdisciplinary Theme.
Books will show that a range of topics are being covered, cross curricular links are made where possible and differentiated work set as appropriate. The school environment will be history rich through timelines in classrooms, displays, books and resources available.
As historians, children will learn lessons from history to influence the decisions they make in their lives in the future. Assessments and monitoring will show standards in History will be high and will match standards in other subject areas.