The History curriculum offer follows the National Curriculum in KS1 and KS2 and the EYFS Statutory Framework and Development Matters in the Early Years. The History curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Where required, pedagogy is adapted so that all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, are on the same knowledge journey towards the same endpoints. 

Our curriculum is carefully weighted with equal priority given to both substantive knowledge (people, dates and events) and disciplinary knowledge (how historians work and come to their conclusions). Clearly defined substantive knowledge end points are identified at the end at the end of the unit and disciplinary knowledge end points at the end of each key stage. Components (building blocks) are carefully sequenced so new knowledge builds on what has been previously taught and leads to the end points. 

Key concepts - for example 'empire', 'legacy', 'religion' and 'settlement' - are covered and repeated throughout the curriculum and outlined in our Concept Map. Vocabulary is also taught explicitly in every lesson. Each topic in Key Stage 2 begins with a retrieval concept mapping activity - prompting pupils to link new knowledge to their existing schema. In addition to this, each lesson begins with a retrieval quiz to consolidate learning.

In Early Years and KS1 plans are written following the end points and key concepts. This leads into the Pearsons' curriculum which is taught in KS2. This is enhanced with a Historical Source starter and a disciplinary task so children have opportunity to practice the key history disciplinary concepts e.g. historical significance, similarities and differences and change and continuity. Please see above for our 'Think Like a Historian' poster, which is used to scaffold the children as they make judgements about the past. 

Curriculum Overview