History

Curriculum Cycle A 2022 - 2023 Curriculum Cycle B 2023 - 2024

Curriculum Statement

Intent

At Chaddleworth St Andrew’s and Shefford Federated schools we have designed the History curriculum to provide the children with knowledge and skills to be historians. We aim for it to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past and to develop their understanding of key events.  We make use of the immediate and wider local area, to enable children to develop a deep understanding of the rich history in their locality. We aim to provide all children with a broad and balanced view of the History of Britain and the wider world. In this, students will develop a well-rounded knowledge of the past and its events, with the intention to improve every child’s cultural capital, understanding of the world around them and their own heritage.

We aim to ensure that all pupils:

• gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world which helps to stimulate pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past
• are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement
• begin 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

Implementation

We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. History is taught in blocks throughout the year, linked to overall whole school themes on a two-year cycle due to mixed age classes so that children can achieve depth in their learning. At the beginning of each theme, children are able to convey what they know already and what they would like to find out. Children are encouraged to explore and ask questions.   To do this successfully, as historians, they need to be able to research, interpret evidence, including primary and secondary sources, and have the necessary skills to argue for their point of view; skill that will help them in their adult life. Cross curricular links are made as much as possible, particularly with literacy.  By the end of year 6, children will have a chronological understanding of British and world history from the Stone Age to the present day. 

Impact

At Chaddleworth St Andrew’s and Shefford Federated schools we want children to ask pertinent and relevant questions to investigate and have a curiosity to learn about how people lived in the past and how this shapes the lives of people today. We want to ensure that children have the ability to consistently support, evaluate and challenge their own and others’ views using detailed, appropriate and accurate historical evidence derived from a range of sources. Children will be Historians.