Subject leader: Miss Jen Lambie

If you have any questions regarding History, please contact Miss Lambie via the school office.

Intent

At Halton, our curriculum will offer a planned sequence of lessons, following the guidelines of the National Curriculum, to help ensure the children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. In addition to the key knowledge and understanding, teachers will develop a range of historical skills and concepts that will transfer across different periods of history.  These key historical skills and concepts will be taught and revisited throughout different units across year groups.  They include: Investigation and interpretation, building an overview of world history, understanding chronology and communicating historically. . When covering each of these skills within key stages, the content will be carefully organised by each year group through our skills progression map. Content knowledge, vocabulary and skills will then be planned for at a greater level of detail in the medium term plan by each teacher. History is delivered through subject specific teaching organised into eras of time. Meaningful links with other subjects will be made to strengthen connections and understanding for pupils. By the end of year 6, pupils will be equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence from different sources, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement. We want pupils to 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. At Halton pupils’ curiosity will be inspired by making links and utilising our local resources, e.g. RAF Halton and Wendover woods.

Implementation

The planned curriculum is mapped out and reviewed annually as a teaching staff so as to best cover our intent. Working collaboratively, under the guidance of individual subject leaders, we can ensure consistency of coverage, progression and learning throughout the school. Through a carefully planned, topic-based curriculum, we ensure high standards of teaching and learning, which is clearly shown throughout the foundation and core subjects, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the curriculum. All learning begins by revisiting prior knowledge and understanding. Staff teach subject- specific vocabulary and facts relevant to the era or learning taking place. At Halton, we ensure that history is given a large focus in each classroom, as we feel it is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences. Formative assessment is on-going across topics to inform teachers for their planning and next steps. The use of prior learning quizzes/photo prompts and KWL grids allows learning to be pitched appropriately and highlight gaps that need addressing. Many of our topics are accompanied by trips, workshops in school and/or the use of real artefacts to bring history to life making it purposeful and unique to Halton.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum design is to lead to strong progress and academic success. Pupils work demonstrates that history is taught at an age appropriate standard across each year group. Work is of good quality and demonstrates pupils are acquiring knowledge, skills and vocabulary in an appropriate sequence to our school. Our impact will ensure that the children leave Halton equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will prepare them for the curriculum at key stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. Through hands on experiences and cross-curricular links, we have evidence of an enhanced enthusiasm and enjoyment for topic related work during lessons and outside of school. We want this desire to learn about history to continue encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.