History

'For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.'

Romans 15:4

 Introduction

At St Hugh’s we want every child to be happy, enthusiastic learners of history. Eager to achieve their very best in order to fulfil their God given talents. Our aim is to ignite a curiosity to learn about the past and make sense of the world in which they live.

Intent

Our principal aim is to help all children develop a sense of past and a chronological framework for learning about life through studying history.  We expect pupils to leave St Hugh’s with a wide range of happy and rich memories in history formed through interesting, exciting experiences and teaching. Pupils will be able to make links and connections across different periods, societies, events and developments. We aim to inspire enthusiasm and interest in the subject and prepare pupils for further historical study in secondary school.

 

Implementation

History is taught alternate half terms.  Fixed timetables are followed by all staff and monitored by the SLT. Each year group studies 3 units throughout the year broadly following a chronological path, building on prior learning and knowledge. We teach a mixture of British and world history in each year group. Pupils are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, assess sources, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgment. Wherever possible teachers use trips/ visits, visitors, artefacts, photographs and the local and wider community and environment to engage pupils interest and imagination and enrich our curriculum offer.

 

Impact

Through a creative, cross curricular history curriculum pupils at St Hugh’s achieve and progress, regardless of their ability and background. Pupils talk enthusiastically about the subject and are eagerly looking forward to their future learning. A clear, structured learning path enables pupils by the end of year 6 to have a chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to present day. They are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives.

Cultural Capital

Children will develop an informed historical perspective on their world, learning about key figures and events from history ranging from Boudicca to Margaret Thatcher. They will develop an understanding of changes over time in people, places, landscape and culture through studying British history interlinked with studies of world history and classical civilisations.  Our broad curriculum develops an understanding of democracy, governance, monarchy, citizenship and law, as well as rights and responsibilities, moral and social issues. 

British Values

The fundamental British Values are evident throughout the history curriculum as children learn about the development of democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty. Through history pupils will begin to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change and the diversity of societies and relationships, developing a respect and tolerance for others and celebrating differences.