KS2 History
KS2 History
The National Curriculum for History in Years 3 to 6. Examples in grey italics are not statutory.
There are support documents available to help teachers when introducing new units of study in History.
Hi2/1.1 Pre-Roman Britain
Pupils should be taught about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
This could include:
late Neolithic hunter-gatherers and early farmers, for example, Skara Brae
Bronze Age religion, technology and travel, for example, Stonehenge
Iron Age hill forts: tribal kingdoms, farming, art and culture
Hi2/1.2 Roman Britain
Pupils should be taught about the Roman empire and its impact on Britain
This could include:
Julius Caesar’s attempted invasion in 55-54 BC
the Roman Empire by AD 42 and the power of its army
successful invasion by Claudius and conquest, including Hadrian’s Wall
British resistance, for example, Boudica
"Romanisation" of Britain: sites such as Caerwent and the impact of technology, culture and beliefs, including early Christianity
Hi2/1.3 Anglo-Saxons & Scots
Pupils should be taught about Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots
This could include:
Roman withdrawal from Britain in c. AD 410 and the fall of the western Roman Empire
Scots invasions from Ireland to north Britain (now Scotland)
Anglo-Saxon invasions, settlements and kingdoms: place names and village life
Anglo-Saxon art and culture
Christian conversion – Canterbury, Iona and Lindisfarne
Hi2/1.4 Anglo-Saxons & Vikings
Pupils should be taught about the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor
This could include:
Viking raids and invasion
resistance by Alfred the Great and Athelstan, first king of England
further Viking invasions and Danegeld
Anglo-Saxon laws and justice
Edward the Confessor and his death in 1066
Hi2/2.1 Local History
Pupils should be taught about an aspect of local history
For example:
a depth study linked to one of the British areas of study listed above
a study over time tracing how several aspects of national history are reflected in the locality (this can go beyond 1066)
a study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.
Hi2/2.2 Extended chronological study
Pupils should be taught a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
For example:
the changing power of monarchs using case studies such as John, Anne and Victoria
changes in an aspect of social history, such as crime and punishment from the Anglo-Saxons to the present or leisure and entertainment in the 20th Century
the legacy of Greek or Roman culture (art, architecture or literature) on later periods in British history, including the present day
a significant turning point in British history, for example, the first railways or the Battle of Britain
Hi2/2.3 Ancient Civilizations
Pupils should be taught about the achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of one of the following:
Ancient Sumer;
The Indus Valley;
Ancient Egypt; or
The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China
Hi2/2.4 Ancient Greece
Pupils should be taught a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world
Hi2/2.5 Non-European Study
Pupils should be taught about a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history - one study chosen from:
early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900;
Mayan civilization c. AD 900; or
Benin (West Africa) c. AD 900-1300