The
Phoenix Primary School & Nursery
History
What is the vision for History at The Phoenix Primary School and Nursery?
Intent
At The Phoenix Primary School and Nursery, we want all of our pupils to have an understanding of the past and how history will shape their future. History helps pupils to understand the process of change, the diversity of societies as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. We believe in high-quality history lessons that encourage critical thinking; enhance the ability to weigh evidence and generate arguments; that develop a sense of perspective. Moreover, we seek to provide them with the skills required to be the academic researchers or archaeologists of the future. Above all, we want our pupils to be passionate about history. Our History Curriculum fosters a sense of wonder and actively motivates children to ask ‘why’.
As Historians, children will have developed a well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the past. Children will learn the importance of chronology and how this helps them identify key events which have influenced their lives today. Using historical studies, children will develop skills that are universal and relevant to other disciplines. In particular, objective interaction and collaborative learning is at the centre of this process, with the aim of producing citizens that can participate constructively in a democratic society.
Through history, all children develop an understanding and appreciation of their identity and cultural background, whilst building tolerance and patience towards other cultures in our multi-cultural society. Furthermore, when studying early civilisations (i.e. Britain between the Stone Age and the Iron Age), pupils can look at how people only took what they needed, for example when collecting plants or killing animals for food, and that they did not waste anything— a valuable lesson to remember in today’s consumerist, ‘throwaway’ society. Studying the impacts on Britain’s people and landscape of various invaders and settlers can lead to thinking about how we, and future generations, can affect the environment, for better or worse. Our vision for History is to develop and inspire pupils to develop a broad historical and cultural awareness.
We aim:
- To provide opportunities for children to develop a chronological framework by
- investigating the past and how it influences the present.
- To encourage children to interrogate evidence and form their own opinions.
- To recognise that some sources can contain false and misleading information.
- To enable children to communicate their view points in a variety of ways using
- appropriate vocabulary.
- To explore a range of sources of information.
- To foster enjoyment, empathy and curiosity for finding out about the past.
Finally, History is seen as a discipline that is open to all; regardless of ability, gender, cultural background or ethnicity.
How is this vision for History to be achieved?
Implementation
Children who take part in History lessons will:
- Access a curriculum that has clear continuity and progression in terms of content, substantive concepts, knowledge, skills, vocabulary and language acquisition, as well as links to prior learning.
- Establish high quality inclusive learning through a pedagogy of enquiry based on investigative and experiential learning which fosters disciplinary thinking.
- Learn to identify, compare and contrast information by examining a range of historical artefacts, to give justified opinions and reach logical conclusions.
- Develop an understanding of their world and an understanding of significant individuals who have made significant contributions to shaping history.
How does the school know if the History curriculum has been effective?
Impact
Firstly, children will become active citizens, whose sense of both rights and responsibilities to each other are firmly rooted in a thorough understanding of the past.
Knowledge of the past will have taught children the importance of tolerance, respect for the rule of law, democracy and liberty.
They will also be aware of the diversity of experience and understand why different societies have developed in the way that they have.
Children will have developed an intellectual curiosity and lifelong interest in the study of history; with some expressing a wish to study History at a higher academic level and pursue careers where historical skills are key.
Our History Curriculum will have served its purpose if children complete their studies here as well-rounded, confident learners who are able to draw their own conclusions about the world around them.
By the end of their education at The Phoenix Primary school and Nursery, our children will have developed the historical knowledge, language and skills to help them understand both the history of the United Kingdom and the wider world.
Children’s knowledge and skills will have developed progressively not only to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum at primary level, but also to thoroughly prepare them for the challenges of studying History at secondary level and beyond.
Assessment
Units of work demonstrate clear progression in the skills and knowledge taught, both within a year group and across the phase. Children’s progress is measured and recorded using the progression of skills assessment sheet at the end of each unit. The children themselves also record what they have learned, comparative to their starting points, at the end of every topic.