History
History
At Holmleigh, History is taught using the Rising Stars scheme of work. Rising Stars History is a complete curriculum programme for primary history which provides 18 half-termly units of work to ensure pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s history, their locality and the history of the wider world. It offers complete coverage of the National Curriculum Programme of Study for History.
From starting points suitable for all, the units develop to provide appropriate challenges for KS1 and KS2 pupils of varying abilities. The units have key questions to develop the use of historical enquiry, as well as a focus on the acquisition and application of key subject knowledge, concepts and vocabulary throughout.
Skills, knowledge and understanding in history progress through Year 1 to Year 6, being taught, developed and applied throughout the schemes of work.
A range of opportunities are provided to enable all pupils to communicate their knowledge and understanding of the subject. Links are made within and across units to support pupils in making connections and in developing a strong overview of chronology, breadth and local to global history.
HISTORY CURRICULUM STATEMENT
INTENT
At Holmleigh Primary School, we want children to learn about decision makers, their lives, values and the impact of their decisions. Our pupils will be able to place historical events and significant people in chronological order. They will learn to question events and understand what happened, why it happened and their consequences. They will not only understand how events and the people from the past have influenced their lives and wider society but will explore the history of their local communities, families and diverse cultures.
Children will understand the difference between fact and opinion. They will be able to interpret and decide upon the validity of evidence and will realise we do not have a complete picture and that our knowledge is only based upon what’s been left behind and that the picture is evolving.
IMPLEMENTATION
From Nursery to Year 6, we ensure that there is a progression of knowledge and skills taught through topics based on our own history, local history, British history and broader world History. Teachers use marking books, discussions, questioning and group work to assess children’s knowledge and understanding and ensure that there is progression.
Where possible, we link our whole class texts using Designated Reader in KS2 and class texts in KS1 and Early Years to our topics and use opportunities to promote different writing genres.
At Holmleigh, we focus on the key history skills:
- Identify questions to answer and problems to solve.
- Plan and Research
- Analyse and Evaluate
- Show Empathy
- Show a commitment to justice
- Explore issues, events and problems from different perspectives
- Support conclusions using reasoned arguments and evidence
- Communicate learning in relevant ways
Where possible we give our pupils experiences that bring history alive using artefacts, trips, workshops, technology, theatre, drama, external visitors and stories and provide opportunities for them to write and communicate their knowledge in a variety of ways.
Through whole school events, with the support of parents/carers and local community, we celebrate Black History, Harvest, Grand Parents’ Day, Remembrance Day and Royal Occasions. We also enrich the curriculum with History Themed Days and Fairs.
IMPACT
Throughout their journey at Holmleigh, from EYFS right through to the end of KS2 children, children will have gained a coherent and chronologically sound knowledge of key historical time periods and events, both that have shaped Hackney (their local community), Britain and the wider world. They will have a love of history and will be curious about the past and the connections they can make to their own lives and the lives of others.
Progression of knowledge and skills have been carefully mapped and as a result we ensure that children leave Holmleigh having;
- Learned that half of people in the past were women, many of whom have had an impact on our living world
- Learned that black people and people of colour have lived in Britain since ancient times
- Learned about a Non-European society,
- Developed an understanding of changes within living memory and events beyond living memory
- Built an understanding on the story of Britain
- Investigated local history and why Hackney is the way it is
- Learned about Britain Beyond 1066
- Investigated significant individuals who have impacted History
- Studied the Windrush generation and the impact it has had on members
- Learned about ancient civilizations
- Learned that the diverse past helps to understand the diverse present.
- Studied History at different levels – from the local to the global.