History

History

History at St Chad’s Catholic Primary School

At St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, the teaching of History helps pupils develop an understanding of the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today. Through the study of significant people, events and civilisations, pupils develop curiosity about the past and an appreciation of how societies have changed over time.

Rooted in our Catholic ethos, the study of History encourages pupils to reflect on the experiences of others, understand different cultures and develop a sense of identity and belonging within their local community and the wider world. Pupils also explore the history of their local area, including the impact of the Industrial Revolution on Manchester, helping them understand how history has shaped the community in which they live.

Intent

Our History curriculum aims to develop pupils’ understanding of the past and help them make sense of how historical events have shaped the world today.

Through the study of History, pupils will:

• develop a secure understanding of chronology and how events are connected over time
• learn about significant people, events and civilisations from the past
• understand how historians use evidence and sources to learn about the past
• develop the ability to ask questions, investigate and form their own interpretations of historical events
• gain an understanding of how societies have changed over time.

The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build their historical knowledge and understanding as they move through the school.

Implementation

History is taught through engaging units that develop pupils’ understanding of key historical concepts and events.

Pupils develop knowledge in the following areas:

Chronological understanding – learning how historical events are ordered in time and how different periods relate to each other.

Historical knowledge – studying significant people, events and civilisations from local, British and world history.

Historical enquiry – exploring historical sources and evidence to understand how we know about the past.

Interpretation – understanding that different people may interpret historical events in different ways.

Through the History curriculum, pupils develop both substantive knowledge (knowledge about historical events, people and periods) and disciplinary knowledge (the skills historians use to investigate and interpret the past).

Progression

In Early Years, children begin to develop an understanding of the past through discussions about their own experiences and changes over time.

In Key Stage 1, pupils begin to explore historical events and significant individuals, developing an understanding of chronology and simple historical enquiry.

In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding of historical periods, exploring how events are connected and analysing sources to develop their understanding of the past.

This progression enables pupils to develop increasingly sophisticated historical thinking as they move through the school.

Impact

By the time pupils leave St Chad’s, they will have developed a secure understanding of how the past has shaped the present.

Pupils will:

• understand key historical events and periods
• use chronological knowledge to place events in context
• ask questions and investigate the past using historical sources
• explain how and why societies have changed over time.

The impact of the History curriculum is seen through pupils’ work, discussions and their ability to apply historical knowledge and enquiry skills.

Knowledge Organisers