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History at Kenton Primary School

History Intent

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.’ — Edmund Burke

At Kenton Primary School, we will ensure that every student from every background leaves our school with a deep understanding of history, including within their local context. We want our students to have a love of learning history and develop a passion for exploring the past. It is essential that children develop the skills and understanding to be able to explain key events in history, identify their significance to the world; in particular Britain and explain how they have shaped the present. Of course, this must be done with a rigorous understanding of the chronology of these events and how events from the past continue to shape the world around them. Our history curriculum will help our students to understand who we are as a nation and what has led to this sense of identity. Students by the end of their time at Kenton Primary School should have strong disciplinary knowledge that allows them to be critical in their analysis of sources and information to discern the reliability, validity, and usefulness of information.

History Implementation

Curriculum Design and Sequencing

Our History curriculum is carefully designed to ensure a progressive and coherent learning journey for our pupils on a 2 year rolling curriculum. It is based on the National Curriculum for History and takes into account the age and abilities of our students. Our curriculum focuses on key historical knowledge, concepts, skills, and historical interpretations.

We have created a long-term curriculum map that outlines the key topics and historical periods that will be covered in each year group, from EYFS to Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. This map ensures that pupils build on their prior knowledge and understanding as they progress through the school. We use retrieval tasks to ensure that key knowledge is retained by children and explicitly teach key vocabulary.

Engaging and Inspiring Teaching

We believe in delivering high quality History lessons that ignite pupils’ curiosity and passion for the subject. Our teachers use a range of pedagogical approaches, including storytelling, drama, role-play, and visual aids, to bring history to life in the classroom. We also make use of primary and secondary sources, including artifacts, photographs, and documents, to deepen pupils’ understanding.

We incorporate regular visits to historical sites, museums, and local landmarks to enhance pupils’ learning experiences and provide real-life contexts for historical learning. We encourage pupils to ask exploration questions, stimulating their critical thinking and enabling them to engage in historical enquiry.

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion

Our History curriculum reflects the cultural diversity of the United Kingdom and the wider world. We celebrate and value the contributions of individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders. Our teaching materials include diverse perspectives and highlight the achievements and struggles of historically marginalized groups.

Through a range of cross-curricular links, we ensure that pupils develop a holistic understanding of historical events and their social, political, and economic contexts. We encourage pupils to think critically about different historical interpretations and challenge stereotypes and biases.

History Impact

Attainment and Progress

Through our outstanding History curriculum, we expect our pupils to acquire a deep and secure knowledge of key historical events, periods, and concepts. We provide regular opportunities for formative and summative assessment to monitor their progress and inform future planning.

Across the school year, lesson observations and learning walks take place and evidence that teachers provide a broad and balanced history curriculum. Teachers are using the rolling programme and progression of skills documents to ensure children’s prior knowledge is taken into account and developed upon .We use a combination of written assessments, oral presentations, and project work to assess and evidence pupils’ historical understanding and skills. This enables us to identify strengths and areas for improvement, allowing us to provide targeted support and challenge appropriately.

At the end of the year, teachers will use their judgements to grade the children on the history work they have completed. This data will be analysed by the humanities lead and further CPD may be put in place if necessary. Analysis by the subject leader enables a consistent approach to history teaching across the school and this is supported through monitoring of children’s books, pupil conferencing and through termly conversations with pupils.

Pupil Engagement and Enjoyment

Our History curriculum aims to foster a love for the subject and engage pupils fully in their learning. We regularly evaluate pupil feedback to ensure that our curriculum is engaging and meets their interests and needs. We encourage pupils to share their own historical interests and experiences, giving them a sense of ownership and agency in their historical learning. Book scrutiny’s show that children can demonstrate that they are acquiring the key knowledge and skills within our rolling programme. Pupil voice reflects the growing historical understanding, use of vocabulary and enthusiasm of history, alongside showing that pupils are developing a chronological awareness.

Cultural Capital and Preparation for Secondary School

Our outstanding History curriculum equips pupils with the cultural capital they need to succeed in secondary school and beyond. By developing their historical knowledge, skills, and understanding, we ensure that our pupils are well-prepared for further study in History or related subjects, as well as providing a foundation for responsible citizenship and civic participation.

Through our focus on critical thinking, empathy, and respect, we promote the development of essential life skills that enable pupils to engage meaningfully with historical and contemporary events.

In conclusion, our History curriculum at Kenton Primary School is designed to provide a rich, engaging, and inclusive learning experience. Through our intent, implementation, and impact, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for History, foster a deep understanding of the past, and prepare our pupils for future educational and personal success.