Return to Subjects

History

The intent, implementation and impact of  History

At St Andrew’s Church of England primary school, we shape our history curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for History; provide a broad and balanced curriculum that encompasses our British Values education throughout; ensure that the progressive development of historical concepts, skills and knowledge is evident throughout the school; and for the children to study life in the past.

Intent

At St Andrew’s, we aim for a high quality history curriculum which should inspire pupils and encourage curiosity and fascination about Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the history of Britain and how it has influenced, and been influenced, by the wider world. We encourage children to learn about significant aspects of history in the wider world such as; ancient civilisations and empires; changes within and beyond living memory; the lives of significant people of the past; methods of historical enquiry and also the ability to ask questions of their own. We want children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining these skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of fieldwork and educational visits, including excursions in the local area of Stanstead Abbotts.

Implementation

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in history, we implement a curriculum that is progressive across the whole school through the use of our bespoke knowledge and skill organisers. History is taught as part of a half-termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. At St Andrew’s, we place a real importance on history, as we feel it is vital in enabling all children to gain an understanding of the wider world through ‘real-life’ experiences. For example, using the local area to look at how travel and transport has changed in Key Stage 1, to comparing the similarities and differences in environments and communities over time in Lower Key Stage 2, through to looking at an in depth study of the locality in Upper Key Stage 2.

Impact

We strive to ensure that children at St Andrew’s are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about history in primary school, therefore encouraging them to be inspired and undertake new life experiences now and in the future.