History At St Mary's

Intent

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we want to awaken pupils' curiosity about the past and teach engaging lessons, which are accessible to all. We want to create inquisitive, independent learners who will make interested, knowledgeable historians, encouraging you to become excited about what the past can teach us. We teach our pupils to make links between the past and the world we know today.  We promote the importance of thinking about our place in the world and this begins in our Early Years classrooms; our children review their own life history, considering how they have changed and the things they can now do. Throughout the year each child will develop their understanding of the world through historical stories and drama, with sensitive adults ready to listen and explain the world around them, inspiring curiosity and a desire to know more about the past.

Implementation

Through the historical study of Britain and the wider world, we aim to develop children's understanding of concepts such as chronology, continuity, change, cause, consequence, similarity and contrast.  We aim to help them to develop understanding of historical enquiry, including the use of evidence to make historical claims, and how and why interpretations of the past may differ.  The children are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. 
Cross curricular outcomes in history are specifically planned for, with strong links between the history curriculum and literacy lessons enabling further contextual learning. The local area is also fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes. Planning is informed by and aligned with the national curriculum. Outcomes of work are monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge. Within our knowledge-rich approach, there is a strong emphasis on people and the community of our local area. School trips provide further relevant and contextual learning.

Impact

Outcomes in books and pupil voice evidence a broad and balanced history curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of the identified key knowledge and skills. As historians, children will learn lessons from history to influence the decisions they make in their lives both now and in the future.