History at Newton Primary:
History Intent:
Our aim at Newton Primary School is to encourage our pupils to develop an appreciation, understanding and thirst of knowledge from the past. Our intentions are to ensure we inspire our children to learn about the past as a historian through an exciting and high quality, inclusive History Curriculum by understanding the world around them.
In line with the National Curriculum, Newton aims to ensure that all pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of being able to:
- Investigate and interpret our past in Britain, including how it has influenced Britain and how it has influenced by the wider world.
- Understand significant aspects of history of the wider world, such as ancient civilisations and empires.
- Changes in living memory and beyond living memory.
- Learn about the lives of significant people of the past.
- Understand the methods of historical enquiry.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) aims and encourages all children within the Foundation Stage to have an ‘Understanding of the world; people and communities, the world and technology’ by the end of the academic year.
History Implementation:
In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in History, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. History is taught as part of a half termly/termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills linked to the National Curriculum objectives. By the end of Year 6, children will have a chronological understanding of British History from the Stone Age to the present day. The children will be able to draw on comparisons and make different connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this are the studies of world History, such as ancient civilisations of Greece and Egyptians.
Cross curricular outcomes in History are specifically planned for, with strong links between the History Curriculum and English lessons enabling further contextual learning. Therefore, the children are enthused, from our cross curricular approach and activities which allows them to be immersed in the period; creating intrigue and enjoyment. Children will also develop researching and enquiry skills through the use of books and ICT, and be provided with opportunities to showcase their learning through a range of methods, for example, through role play, storytelling and newspaper reporting.
History lessons at Newton will include the local community as much as possible, to ensure children can make real-life links as well as gain an understanding of past events.
History assessment is ongoing throughout the relevant cross-curricular themes to inform teachers with their planning of lessons and activities, including any differentiation needed. Assessment is then used to help plan for future lessons. The outcomes of work are monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of key knowledge and skills across the school.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In EYFS the curriculum is carefully planned to provide all children with a wider understanding of the world around them. Children begin to make sense of their own family history and use their own life experiences to build a sense of the past and the present. Children also gain an understanding of the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books as well as having varied opportunities to explore and role play different roles within society.
History Impact:
The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Newton Primary are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3. Our curriculum map shows how the whole school curriculum has been carefully planned to teach the main historical concepts, therefore, providing the opportunity for children to make links to previously studied topics and make links between periods and events. The outcomes in topic and literacy books, evidence a broad and balanced curriculum and demonstrates the children’s knowledge. At the end of a topic, the children are asked what they have learned comparative to their starting points.
