History

STATEMENT OF INTENT

The intent of our history curriculum is to deliver a high-quality curriculum which is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more. As a result of this children will:

• Gain a coherent historical knowledge and understanding of Britain and the wider world, including ancient civilisations.
• Develop and use their historical skills in enquiry, analysis, evaluation, and argument.
• Develop and maintain their interest in the past, arousing their curiosity and motivation to learn.
• Ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
• Develop a sense of identity through learning about the past within a social, political, cultural and economic background.
• Develop a sense of chronology and understand where the ancient civilisations fit on a historical timeline. Our children will be able to name some similarities and differences between ancient civilisations.
• Foster a love of history and for finding out about the past. As Sylvester Academy we aim to develop the “Historian” in every child. Our children will learn to question whether sources are valid and reliable or have they been written with bias? These skills will equip them for life.

HOW WE TEACH HISTORY

At Sylvester Primary Academy, history is taught as a stand-alone subject on a weekly basis across both Key Stage one and Key Stage 2. In EYFS, the children’s historical understanding is developed through the ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World’ element of their Early Learning Goals; this is ongoing throughout the year.

By design, our history curriculum has been tailored to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum whilst being bespoke to the context of our school. Our curriculum allows children to develop their: historical interpretation, Historical enquiry, chronological understanding, Knowledge and understanding of British history, local history, and Knowledge and understanding of wider world history.

In each year group, our learning sequences are designed to be progressive and historical content is taught through three topics across the year, which allow children to develop, practise and apply their knowledge and understanding. We ensure that, throughout each topic, historical specific vocabulary is taught and rehearsed and that children become familiar with key terminology and concepts which run throughout the whole school history curriculum. Teachers use a range of written and pictorial sources; practical resources; digital resources; historical texts and investigation experiences to help learning to become embedded. We also use history- based texts to support and enhance the children’s understanding and interest of their different topics.

C​urriculum Overview

SEND ADAPTATIONS

At Sylvester, our history curriculum provides all of our children with the opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the world around them through lessons that are fully inclusive and meet the specific needs of children with SEND. As a whole, our curriculum is designed to cater to children’s differing learning styles and needs, and where appropriate, teachers will adapt and amend their lessons to support more specific requirements.

When sharing texts and sources, key information and vocabulary is highlighted, displayed and revisited throughout sessions. Children are also offered a variety of options for recording their work so that they can confidently demonstrate their understanding. Throughout topics, teachers use pre-learning checks and revisit key learning to help ensure needs are being met and displays are used to provide visual clues and definitions for the children’s reference. Children also regularly use practical resources and engage in practical, research -based activities as a means of enhancing understanding. During these instances, teachers are careful to consider specific learning needs such as sensory requirements and preferences.

CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT

Pupils at Sylvester are given the opportunity to further the historical understanding through a range of enrichment opportunities. This includes:

• Key Stage 1 visit to local church for remembrance workshop.
• The school’s own air raid shelter
• Whole school History Day
• Year 3 Stone age visitor
• Year 4 Victorian Day
• Year 5 Greek Day