History

Our History Intent Statement:

"To inspire pupils to become curious historians and to equip them with the knowledge and skills to think critically, ask perceptive questions, and become critical explorers by being exposed to a rich curriculum of historical people and places."

Mrs Russell, History Lead

The history curriculum at St James the Great is carefully mapped out so that all pupils leave primary school equipped with an understanding of the past that paves the way for their future. Throughout their journey in history, pupils will acquire a breadth of knowledge: of places and people and significant events through time. Pupils will be given the opportunity to develop their ability to ask perceptive questions, think critically, analyse evidence, examine arguments, develop judgement, and understand differing perspectives.

We teach the National Curriculum and local history through the Ark Curriculum within KS1 and the Opening Worlds History Curriculum in KS2.

Curruiuclum Design: Sequencing & Progression

History Curriculum Overview

History Overview

KS1 Curriculum Progression & Rationale

KS1 Hisotry Rationale.docx

KS2 Curriculum Progression

Progression-in-Opening-Worlds-History (5).pdf

KS2 Curriculum Rationale

Humanities_curriculum_plan_and_rationale_REVISED_May_2023_OW (5).pdf

How History is taught at St James the Great

We teach the national curriculum, using Ark as the vehicle for this journey, adapting it to suit the needs of our children.

Our History lessons follow this structure:

Retrieval and recapping of previous learning
Explicit and embedded teaching of new high level vocabulary
Story telling and teacher modelled reading of new content
Pupils discussing their new learning with peers and adults, using their new vocabulary
Vocabulary is specifically and intentionally taught to support the children's understanding in the coming lesson
Lessons then build through the use of retrieval tasks (to ensure that children comprehend the knowledge being imparted) and independent / group tasks that allow them to apply the knowledge they have gained.
Units then accumulate into a more significant piece of work which allows children to apply their understanding from the unit and provide an opportunity for summative assessment.