History

The documents below outline Grove Road’s approach to teaching History which is underpinned by the National Curriculum expectations. It will outline the key concepts and themes we teach here at Grove Road and how we ensure that the pupils develop in their understanding of the world around them. 

Purpose of Study:

A high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching should equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. (National Curriculum 2014)

Intent Statement

Our History Curriculum aims to inspire our pupils' curiosity to understand more about the past and how this has influenced our lives today. Pupils will have a broad and diverse understanding of chronology, significant events and figures who have contributed to national and international achievements. Our history curriculum allows pupils to understand the complexity of people's lives and the process of change, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. We want pupils to be able to question events from the past and to consider how this has impacted us in the present day. By giving pupils a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum this will ensure the progressive development of historical concepts, knowledge and skills. Furthermore, we aim to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about history that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.   

History teaching at Grove Road has a wide application to everyday life, teaching the children to enjoy learning about the past and to have a better understanding of the society in which they live.

Intended Impact

At the end of each year, pupils will have gained a deepening understanding of British History (including Local Study where relevant) and the History of the Wider World  as well as the overarching skills of chronology, historical vocabulary and the ways in which the past can be communicated. Their conceptual understanding develops to make links between themes. Pupils are curious which allows them to debate upon and reflect on their own lines of enquiry and interest areas.

During the children’s learning journey at Grove Road, our intended impact of the History Curriculum is to develop the following: 

• Pupil Voice - Through discussions and feedback, pupils talk enthusiastically about their History lessons and show a genuine curiosity and interest in the areas they have explored
• Evidence in Knowledge - Pupils can make links between different themes and recognise similarities and differences. They know about key events and people as they build an overview of the world.
• Evidence in Skills - Pupils use acquired vocabulary to interpret and convey their understanding of the past. They can analyse and interpret information in order to question and reflect on the legacies.
• Breadth and Depth - Teachers plan opportunities (including cross-curricular) for pupils to study across concepts to deepen their understanding in aspects of particular historical value. Pupils have the confidence and are inspired to further their knowledge.

PUPIL VIEWS

"I enjoyed finding out about Amelia Earhart because I'd like to be like her one day and fly around the ocean. Maybe one day I could go in a submarine and try and find her" - Ava, Year 2

"We get to learn about the house and jobs in the past which helps us to know what it was like" - Charles Year 2

"We learn so we can know what's happened in the past and use this to help us in the future" - Joshi, Year 3

"I like learning about the past because it's interesting and we get to learn so many new things we didn't know before" -  Isla, Year 3

"History is learning about what happened in the olden times and things that happened in the past” - Heidi, Year 4

"We learn about History because things that have happened in the past might affect our future” - William, Year 5

"I love history because it makes me feel like I’m in that time” - Annabel, Year 6