Intent, Implementation and Impact of the History Curriculum
Intent
Through our teaching of History, we intend that pupils will gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim for History to inspire and stimulate pupils’ curiosity about the past and to know more about how History has shaped the current world we live in. We aim to enable children to ask perceptive questions, think critically, consider evidence and arguments and develop perspective and judgement. Through the History curriculum, we endeavour to teach children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, together with their own identity and the challenges of their time. Studying the live of people in the past helps develop empathy and insight. We want children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining this knowledge and these skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of fieldwork and educational visits to achieve a rich cultural capital throughout the school.
Implementation
At Stratford-upon-Avon Primary history lessons focus on developing historical skills and children working as historians. History is taught as part of a half-termly topics, with many cross-curricular links for an immersive educational experience, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum, that are progressive across the school. We use Curriculum Maestro to guide our planning and our locality enables us to carefully plan in regular opportunities for children to observe and learn in Stratford upon Avon town. We intend for our children to have real life experiences and learn about history in an active and creative way. We encourage children to extend their knowledge by undertaking their own research, and by beginning to develop their own explanations and theories. We also want them to develop confidence in making links between periods, or between cultures, whilst developing a clear understanding of chronology through learning key dates in British history. We can strengthen this by embedding history across the curriculum – so as for instance giving a historical dimension to scientific discussions about invention or innovation, or ensuring that a sense of the historical period underpins our approach to literature or British values. Links to Geography and other subject areas are also explored. Our localised curriculum offer enables pupils to have a wide variety of experiences to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of history such as trips to the Heart of England Forest, linked to the Stone Age theme: Tribal Tales in Year 3; the opportunity, in Year 6 of a visit from a WWI soldier and to experience life in the trenches during World War One; a residential History themed trip to York, in Year 4; and immersive History themed days - such as a ‘Mummification Day’ in Year 5, focusing on Art/DT.
Impact
By the end of their primary education at Stratford upon Avon Primary School, our learners will be able to think like historians: pose and answer questions; understand and use evidence; offer explanations and have a secure sense of chronology. Our pupils will understand the ways in which History has shaped the world they live in and be equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3. They will also have a curiosity in history ready for life as an adult in the wider world.
Intent, Implementation and Impact of the Geography Curriculum
Intent
The intention of the geography curriculum at Stratford upon Avon Primary school is to inspire children’s curiosity and interest to explore the natural and human aspects of the world that we live in and its people. We encourage children to develop their understanding and knowledge of the world and their place in it. We intend to equip the children with geographical skills to develop their knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments. We ensure that the skills and knowledge that children gain from their geography learning is linked to other aspects of the school curriculum and to wider life. The curriculum is designed to help children their understanding, knowledge and skills in a progressive manner that they can apply to other subjects, their future education and life beyond school. Through the use of fieldwork, educational visits and exploration of our local area, we achieve a rich cultural capital throughout the school that enables children to develop their love for geography.
Implementation
In order to develop children’s curiosity about the world we are enthusiastic about geography and encourage children to explore and ask questions. Our geography lessons are taught through our half termly topics. The knowledge and skills taught are linked to each topic and have been carefully considered to ensure progression throughout each year group and across the school. When our topic is not geography focused we recap previous learning. Strong links are made between Geography and other curriculum subjects. There are ample opportunities for outdoor learning and trips to provide relevant, contextual learning to help children apply their geographical skills, knowledge and understanding, whilst utilising the local area.
Impact
By the end of their primary education at Stratford Upon Avon Primary School, our learners will have gained a rich body of geographical knowledge and a wide range of transferrable skills, which they can apply to other subjects, contexts and real life. Children’s books, discussions and displays will evidence a broad and balanced geographical curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisitions of identified key knowledge. We measure our impact based on pupils’ confidence to ask and explore questions to further their own geographical knowledge and understanding. They will be inquisitive young learners and citizens who choose to understand global environmental issues and seek to make a personal difference in protecting and shaping the world we share. Children will understand, appreciate and develop a deep knowledge of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context.
