History Curriculum Statement

 

Intent

History has always been a subject which we are passionate about at Castle View Primary School. The 2014 National Curriculum for history aims to ensure that all children:

  • Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world which helps to stimulate children’s curiosity to know more about the past.
  • Children should learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.
  • To begin to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.

 

Implementation

At Castle View, these skills are embedded within history lessons and developed through their journey of the history curriculum. By the end of their primary education, children will have a chronological understanding of British history from Stone Age to present day. They are able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. Interlinked with this is the need to look at world history such as the ancient civilisations of Greece and the Romans.

The content and principles underpinning the history curriculum are taken from the 2014 National Curriculum. We use the National Curriculum Programmes of study to guide us on the content and focus of each objective to inform our curriculum. These units are enriched by cross curriculum work when appropriate. Teachers use the LPDS National Curriculum Support materials to ensure curriculum coverage through the Primary phase. Teachers will be encouraged to look elsewhere for additional material including on-line resources.  We encourage first hand experiences and visits to enrich the learning for the children e.g. visits to Lancaster Castle, museums and other historical sites. We also encourage a project based approach to learning with an emphasis on people and community in our local area e.g. a focus on the seaside throughout time.

Children learn through enquiry based learning opportunities to gain a greater understanding of our local area.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance which aims for all children in reception to have an ‘Understanding of the World; people and communities, the world and technology’ by the end of the academic year.

 

Impact

At Castle View we strive to create a supportive and collaborative ethos for learning by providing investigative and enquiry based learning opportunities. Emphasis is placed on analytical and critical thinking which helps children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world; we will develop children’s curiosity and a desire to know more about the past. Through this study children learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.