Intent

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From inspirational recounts of individual endeavours to tales of destruction, war and romance, history has it all. History at St John’s aims to be ambitious, inspiring and motivating. Ambitious, in our coverage of History and thorough teaching of Historical skills. Inspiring, in fostering a curiosity and fascination about Britain's past and that of the wider world. Motivating, through engaging activities, trips and visitors that give all students an opportunity to question the past. At St John’s we shape our history curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. We have developed a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum that encompasses British Values throughout; ensuring the progressive development of historical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for the children to study life in the past. 

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At St John’s Primary School, we have designed our History curriculum with the intent

that our children will: 

• Possess an excellent knowledge and understanding of people, events and contexts

• Study a range of historical periods, including significant events in Britain’s past

• Learn about changes in living memory and beyond living memory.

• Study the lives of significant people of the past

• Become increasingly critical and analytical thinkers 

• To discover links and connections to the History they learn and the wider community and locality 

• Further their knowledge and explanations of change and continuity over time with regards to the history of the British Isles and other societies and epochs 

• Differentiate between source types and explain how interpretations in History may differ  

• Draw on similarities and differences within given time frames and across previously taught History 

• Enquire into Historical themed questions and form their own opinions and interpretation of the past 

In this, students will develop a well-rounded knowledge of the past and its events, with intention to improve every students’ cultural capital, understanding of the world around them and their own heritage. 

 

Implementation

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In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in history, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Through our teaching, historical artefacts and visits, we attempt to excite and intrigue our children to find out more about events and people from the past. By building up their knowledge and developing skills of analysis, children are taught to look at the reliability of evidence and sources so that they are equipped to determine a better future for themselves.  Through our enquiry-led approach using the Principles of Harmony, children are encouraged to ask questions, learn from the mistakes of the past and shape the future through an understanding of the customs and beliefs of the community we belong to. Linking historical content of learning to the social, moral, spiritual and cultural aspects of the past, history can help children to make sense of the world in which they live and help them, as historians, to develop a sense of identity. By the end of year 6, children will have a chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day. They will be able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge.

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Living in Dorking, an area with an intriguing history and an amazing heritage, we are able to research the past during Local History Week which helps us to discover more about our community. Moving beyond our own locality, children visit a wonderful variety of historical sites. thus enabling children to develop a real passion for history. Finally, a whole school Kings and Queens week offers an insight into the past of our monarchy and treats all to a banquet fit for royalty.

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Impact

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The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at St John’s are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. Outcomes in topic books, evidence a broad and balanced history curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review the agreed successes at the end of every session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas, with support from their teachers. Children also record what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic. Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking and questioning which helps pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world and are curious to know more about the past. This results in pupils who have developed their enquiry skills and pursue their own interests within a topic.