Intent

At St. Edward’s, Jesus is at the heart of all that we do. Our History curriculum inspires children to develop a curiosity about the past and an understanding of how people, events and societies have shaped the world we live in today.

We believe that History provides children with the opportunity to explore the experiences, achievements and challenges of people throughout time. Through studying the past, children develop an appreciation of different cultures, communities and perspectives, while learning to think critically, ask questions and make connections.

Our carefully designed History curriculum:

• Provides a broad and ambitious curriculum that develops children’s knowledge and understanding of local, British and global history.
• Inspires curiosity and encourages children to think and act as historians.
• Develops children’s ability to ask meaningful questions, investigate evidence and form reasoned conclusions.
• Builds a secure understanding of chronology, enabling children to make connections across different periods of history.
• Develops an understanding of significant individuals, events and societies and their impact on the world.
• Encourages children to appreciate the complexity of people’s lives, understand different perspectives and develop empathy for others.
• Supports children to understand how the past influences the present and helps them reflect on the values that shape our society.

Our History curriculum is carefully sequenced to build progressively on prior knowledge, ensuring children develop both substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills. Through the study of key historical concepts such as power, invasion, settlement, migration, civilisation, religion, trade, society and culture, children develop a deeper understanding of how societies change and develop over time.

---

Implementation

Our History curriculum is implemented through high-quality teaching, carefully sequenced learning and opportunities for children to develop as historians.

• Learning is carefully planned through the Kapow Primary History scheme of work, ensuring progression of historical knowledge, skills and vocabulary from EYFS to Year 6.
• Teachers use the progression of knowledge and skills to ensure children build on prior learning and develop a secure understanding of chronology.
• Lessons are structured around historical enquiry, encouraging pupils to ask questions, investigate sources and develop interpretations of the past.
• Children explore a range of historical evidence, including primary and secondary sources, developing their ability to evaluate reliability, recognise different interpretations and construct historical accounts.
• Teachers adapt learning to meet the needs of all pupils, ensuring all children can access challenging and ambitious historical learning.

Our History curriculum develops both knowledge and historical skills through:

• Learning about significant events, individuals and societies from local, British and world history.
• Developing chronological understanding and making connections between different historical periods.
• Exploring key historical concepts, including power, empire, migration, religion, trade and culture.
• Encouraging children to use historical vocabulary accurately when explaining their understanding.
• Developing children’s ability to communicate ideas clearly through discussion, debate and written outcomes.

Our curriculum is enriched through meaningful experiences that bring History to life, including:

• Making links to the local area and the historical opportunities available within our community.
• Celebrating diverse historical experiences and perspectives through opportunities such as Black History Month.
• Providing opportunities for children to explore how history has shaped communities and the wider world.

Assessment is an integral part of our History curriculum. Teachers use formative assessment to check understanding, address misconceptions and identify next steps. INSIGHT assessment tracking is used to monitor attainment and progress in History, ensuring that teaching supports children to build secure knowledge over time.

History contributes to children’s wider personal development by encouraging respect, empathy and an appreciation of the experiences and contributions of people from different backgrounds and periods of history.

---

Impact

The impact of our History curriculum is reflected in children who are curious, knowledgeable and confident historians.

Children leave St. Edward’s:

• With a secure understanding of chronology and how historical events connect over time.
• With knowledge of significant individuals, events and societies from local, British and global history.
• As confident historians who can ask questions, investigate evidence and explain their ideas.
• Able to recognise that history can be interpreted in different ways and understand the importance of evidence when forming conclusions.
• With an appreciation of the diversity of human experiences and the impact people and events have had on the world.

Children at St. Edward’s demonstrate:

• Increasing confidence in using historical vocabulary and explaining historical concepts.
• The ability to make connections between different periods of history.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm when exploring the past.
• The ability to consider different perspectives and develop empathy for people and communities across time.
• Progress from their individual starting points through a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum.

Our History curriculum ensures that every child thrives because:

• It develops both historical knowledge and the skills needed to think critically about the past.
• It is carefully sequenced to support progression and long-term retention.
• It is enriched through local links, meaningful experiences and diverse perspectives.
• It encourages children to understand the past, appreciate the present and contribute positively to the future.

Through our History curriculum, children develop the knowledge, skills and curiosity to become thoughtful historians who understand the complexity of the past and recognise how it continues to shape the world around them.