‘A high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and the wider world’ [National Curriculum, DfE 2014]
Introduction
The teaching of History at St James’ Church of England Primary School provides appropriate learning experiences for the full ability range of our pupils within the statutory frameworks of each key stage. The History Curriculum is about reconstructing the past and building up a picture of the past based upon evidence and the analysis of the accounts of contemporaries and historians. Through the History curriculum, we can encourage our children to develop their ability to think critically and independently and gain knowledge of the wider world and Britain’s past. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and it also enables pupils to identify their own time and the challenges of their time. By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant early learning goal or programme of study.
Through the history curriculum, we aim to:
By the end of Key Stage 2, our end points for children are:
At St James’ Primary School, we provide a well-rounded, cyclical curriculum based on the National Curriculum and our visions, values and mission of Respect, Aspiration, Community and Enquiring minds. The aspects of history taught are sequenced to allow children to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We recognise the important role that history plays in preparing our children for later life. Running through our history curriculum are the strands of British Values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. This will help pupils to recognise how to be responsible citizens, and to understand change and societal development. History is taught weekly each term (see below for overview). Quality first teaching will provide children with transferrable skills, raise their aspirations, and help them to recognise the importance of history for the future.
If children wish to continue to study history in the future, jobs include: museum curator, archaeologist, teacher, conservation officer, archivist, researcher, librarian, reporter and many more...
Whole School Overview
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
Nursery |
All about me Light and Dark |
Transport Farm animals and pets |
Seasonal Change Our Local Area |
Reception |
Me, my family, my home People who help us |
Seasonal changes Living Things |
Growing Journeys |
Year 1 |
Room on the Broom (and other ways to travel) |
The Great Fire of London |
Local Sporting Heroes |
Year 2 |
History Detectives |
To the Rescue! |
The Explorers |
Year 3 |
Sticks and Stones |
Romans in Britain |
Invaders and Settlers |
Year 4 |
Vikings: Raiders or Traders? |
Ancient Civilisations: Lost Lands |
Ancient Egypt |
Year 5 |
Industrial Revolution |
Conflict and Consequences |
Ancient Greek Legacy |
Year 6 |
People, Power and Protest |
Who do you think you are? |
The Golden Age of Islam |
Useful links for parents