History

Intention

At Ling Bob School, we believe that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge and ideas through their history work. We want pupils to acquire a wide historical vocabulary, a solid understanding of the History Programme of Study, as identified in the National Curriculum and be able to use and develop their historical investigative skills effectively apply these throughout their time in primary school. We want our children to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style for writing historically and for a range of audiences. We believe that all good historians develop their investigation skills over time so we want children to develop independence in being able to understand the chronology and sequence of significant historical events, to consider sources of evidence and artefacts linked to investigating a particular period of time and to be able to accurately record their results and use a variety of methods to present their findings. We also want our children to be able to identify their own areas for improvement and use these evaluations when considering their next period of study. The curriculum and planning is adapted appropriately for those children with SEND and those that are new to English so that skills and knowledge are developed alongside children’s confidence.

In Practice

At Ling Bob, our topic programme is carefully balanced and planned to be age appropriate across the years to ensure that there is full coverage of the National Curriculum and the Early Years framework. The topics are planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before and help the children to access new learning. This is recorded on progression maps for each key stage. Knowledge          organisers are produced by subject leaders and teachers to show key learning outcomes, the key vocabulary, the sticky knowledge and skills children will gain. Our topics have been established to ensure that chronological understanding is sequenced, relevant and can support children in building upon prior learning. It is important to us that where appropriate, we make as many meaningful links as possible with other subject areas. 

We have a two year rolling programme due to our mixed aged classes. Each half term/ term the children focus on either History or Geography so that more time can be spent focusing on the key skills of that       subject. Topic is planned for one lesson each week and occasionally a topic day is planned so that children can become fully immersed in their learning.  Topic days often include visits from people who can talk about the past so that children are gaining first hand information and bring the children’s learning to life.

We feel that as a priority, our children need to learn about local history so that they can develop their historical skills in a practical and meaningful way, this will give their learning a purpose. We make use of as many local museums and landmarks as we can. In FS we learn about history in relation to our own life experiences. 

Outcome

When children leave Ling Bob School they will be able to work with confidence across many areas of history. Children will have developed the knowledge, skills and understanding to help them study and investigate periods of history in a safe and inquisitive way. Children will have developed skills that equip them to be historians  throughout their lives.