We provide a high-quality history curriculum which is designed to develop pupils understanding of history as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and has been influenced by the wider world. Our pupils gain coherent knowledge and an understanding of Britain’s past and legacy, and that of the wider world, with opportunities to explore similarities and differences.
Pupils are equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement based on prior and new substantive knowledge. We provide opportunities for all pupils to see themselves reflected in the curriculum, but also to be taken beyond their own experiences. The history curriculum teaches pupils about civilisations from across the world, and always incorporates the experiences – positive and negative – of ethnic minorities in the history of Britain.
This is achieved through building pupils’ understanding of three vertical concepts. These vertical concepts provide both a concrete lens through which to study and contextualise history, as well as use small steps to help pupils gain a deep understanding of complex, abstract ideas.
The curriculum is designed around these three vertical concepts:
• Quest for knowledge
How do people understand the world around them? What is believed; what is known;
what scientific and technological developments are made at the time? How is knowledge stored and shared? What shapes people’s views about the world?
• Power, empire and democracy
Who holds power, and what does this mean for different people in the civilisations?
How is power wielded and legitimised? How are people’s rights different in different
historical contexts?
• Community and family
What is life like for different people – men, women and children – in different
societies? How are these societies structured? How are family and community roles
and relationships different in different historical contexts?
Above all the curriculum fosters an excitement for history inspiring children to learn more about the past.