History at St. Bernadette

Intent

At St Bernadette School, we strive for our History curriculum to provide our students with a deep understanding of events of the past. We want our children to gain a curiosity for History. Our teaching of History will allow our children to develop coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past while exploring the history of the wider world. We aim to empower our students to think critically about aspects of history, develop a strong chronological understanding of key events and enable children to make connections between the past and their own lives.

The teaching of History at our school contributes to a broad and varied curriculum. All children are given equal opportunities to explore our history in exciting and engaging ways. Visits to relevant sites of historical interest allow for history topics to ‘come to life’ outside of the classroom. It is important to us that we incorporate as much of our local history as we can. By using interesting local sources, the children can make connections between their local area and national, or even international, history.

Through engaging lessons and a rich, diverse curriculum, we are committed to ensuring all pupils not only develop a strong knowledge of history but also gain the skills to become reflective, informed young adults with a broader understanding of the world and its history.

In our History teaching we strive to:

• Facilitate excellent knowledge and understanding of people, events, and contexts from a range of historical periods.
• Arouse interest, enthusiasm and a respect of the past.
• Support children to evaluate history critically and challenge their own views.
• Help pupils develop a sense of identity through learning about the development of Britain and the World.
• Introduce pupils to what is involved in understanding and interpreting the past.
• Encourage pupils to recognise that changes and developments through time impact the way that we live today.
• Foster an understanding of and respect for social and cultural differences as well as their own identity and the challenges they may face.

Implementation

Early Years Foundation Stage: Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Please see the EYFS area on the website for further details.

At Key Stage 1 Pupils are given the opportunity to develop an awareness of the past and ways in which it differs from the present. Pupils are helped to understand how we find out about the past and have opportunities to compare and contrast significant historical figures.

Year 1 Topics: Toys; Bessie Coleman & Neil Armstrong

Year 2 Topics: Great Fire of London; Robert Falcon Scott (linked to Geography – Polar Regions)

At Key Stage 2 Pupils will be taught about important developments and episodes in Britain’s past, from Roman to Modern Times. They will be helped to develop a chronological framework through linking different study units, investigate local history and learn about its past from a variety of sources. 

Year 3 Topics: Prehistoric Britain (Stone Age to Bronze Age); The Celts to Romans

Year 4 Topic: Ancient Egypt

Year 5 Topics: Vikings and Anglo-Saxons; Ancient Greece

Year 6 Topics: Britain during WWII; Mayan Civilization