Our History curriculum fulfils and exceeds the requirements and ambitions of the national curriculum for History. History in the EYFS is taught through a topic-based approach. Throughout Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, pupils progress through an adapted version of the REACH curriculum, chosen for its ambition and content.
Throughout the course of study, children constantly revisit learning across a number of disciplinary themes.
- chronology and narrating the past;
- recognising patterns, trends, similarities and differences;
- using appropriate vocabulary, both substantive and disciplinary;
- asking and answering appropriate questions and enquiries;
- recognising, using and interpreting sources of evidence and information.
Early Years
History in the EYFS begins with the child’s experiences and the world around them. They will create mental and physical timelines of their lives so far, considering key events that have happened over the last few years. Gradually, they move to more abstract learning and concepts, learning about significant events that we celebrate and their origins; significant people and their impact on the world; and how lives were different in the past. The programme of study will create the foundations for conceptual development further up school, for example, exploring the role of a king in a story before learning about famous royals throughout history. History in the EYFS may take place in the discreet, taught sessions as the year progresses, in provision-based activities and through experiences such as trips, celebrations and events.
Key Stage One
In KS1, children study a range of historical units, some focused the histories of their families and communities; others on significant individuals and their impact; and a number focused on significant events and their legacies. Across the six units, children begin to divide the past into ‘within living memory’ and ‘beyond living memory’, developing chronological understanding that is age appropriate. They begin to explore the processes of historians by learning about the past using sources, beginning simple enquiries and comparing their lives today to the lives of others in the past.
Key Stage Two
The History programme of study in KS2 generally moves chronologically, covering key aspects of British History and (roughly) concurrent world histories. Throughout the course of study, children build an understanding of British History as a cohesive story, making connections between units of work and the history of the wider world. They will become more familiar with specific historical vocabulary, such as empire, and gain a greater understanding into how historians work and establish their ideas. They begin to synthesise information from a range of sources to reach conclusions in larger-scale enquiries, make comparisons across historical periods, and track thematic change (such as leadership and governance).
Parents are kept up-to-date with learning in History through knowledge organisers that are sent home, as part of the curriculum daily message where we outline each lesson and through informal communications (such as photos of trips, requests for artefacts and exciting learning) that we post on class dojo.
As our KS1 and KS2 learners move through schools, their knowledge is assessed half termly through the use of quizzes and essay writing. Each lesson also begins with a retrieval quiz to ensure prior learning has been remembered. We believe that ‘knowing more and remembering more’ ensures our children have mastered the content of the curriculum and have made progress. Key content is revisited along the learning journey to ensure that it is embedded in the long-term memory.
Our curriculum model is influenced by the resources provided by Pearson, ensuring that we meet or exceed the ambition of the National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2. We consult with Brigshaw High School to ensure smooth progression between KS2 and KS3. We use booklets (Y2-6) and knowledge organisers in History to ensure that staff and pupils are clear about the knowledge and skills that are being taught.
Throughout their time at Kippax Ash Tree, our aim is to improve every pupils’ cultural and historical understanding of the world around them, including their own locality. We strive to spark imagination and curiosity in every year group and for them to wonder about the past and how this will shape and impact their futures. We want our historians to leave Kippax Ash Tree with a solid foundation and passion for History that they will take into the next stage of their education.
