History at Alverstoke Infant School
Our curriculum intent
We aim to deliver a history curriculum which is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more. As a result of this they will
- Increase and develop their historical skills, concepts, knowledge and attitudes.
- Increase their understanding of the present in the context of the past.
- Develop and use their skills in enquiry, analysis, evaluation, and argument.
- Develop their interest in the past, arousing their curiosity and motivation to learn.
- Develop a sense of identity through learning about the past by linking learning to the local area.
History topics provide an opportunity to deliver a cross curriculum approach allowing children to immerse and engage using literacy, technology, drama, art and design. First hand experiences through trips and artefacts hooks children into the learning and further motivates them to be curious and to ask questions.
Implementation
History skills are outlined through the EYFS and National Curriculum and children at Alverstoke Infants are taught these within topics throughout the year. A progression of skills ensures children are equipped with the skills needed to question, think critically and analyse the research. As children progress from reception to the end of year 2, their prior learning is revisited and comparisons are made.
Through carefully planned topics, pupils develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passage of time. They will start to know where people and events fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life. As they progress they will begin to make comparisons and connections between people and events that have been and are being taught.
Through high quality teaching, children will engage in lessons that are practical, enable them to demonstrate their historical skills and understanding and offer cross- curricular links. All children will have access to the history curriculum and planning will reflect the different approaches needed to allow all children to demonstrate historical knowledge and understanding.
It is important that the expectations for children with SEND are as high as they are for all, around what they can achieve. If children have a special educational need where adapted teaching is needed the History coordinator will work with teachers to enable them to deliver lessons that are inclusive for all. These adaptations may include having to build in pre learning or over learning of a particular skill, ensuring that children have appropriate resources and space to work.
Impact
By the end of KS1 children will have developed historical enquiry skills in preparation for KS2. They will have gained a secure knowledge and understanding of people and events through the historical periods covered and are able to use the language and a sense of curiosity required to be a developing historian.
Evidence and Assessment of History
Regular pupil conferencing, lesson drop ins, work monitoring and analysis of data will enable the subject lead and SLT to identify if the curriculum effectively meets all the children’s needs, the strengths of its approach and the knowledge and skills all children have gained.
Please see below photos of the History curriculum in action in the school:
Year 2 visiting Royal Victoria Chapel for their Florence Nightingale topic and Year 1 children visiting the Search Museum for their Victorian topic
