Primary History

Intent

The History curriculum at GM School is designed to allows our students to understand about and reflect on their place in the world through rigorous historical knowledge. 

We hope students will develop high academic expectations of themselves and a love of History, recognising the importance of this subject for an understanding of the past and the world we live in today.

The blend of knowledge and skills is progressive and transferable, designed to lead to success from our Primary Phase through to our Secondary Phase and beyond, with more children choosing History at GCSE level. In short, we want all of our young historians to “know more, do more and remember more”.

Implementation

We cover key events and eras of relevance from the history of the UK. We also aim to provide a curriculum which strives to acknowledge the significance of key events and eras in wider world history. We aim to deliver a rigorous History curriculum which is inclusive and with relevance to the diverse student population at George Mitchell.

The history curriculum is delivered using a range of teaching methods and aims to develop strong historical skills and knowledge. These include wide ranging knowledge, historical source analysis, understanding of historical interpretations and opportunities for independent learning projects. This leads to acquisition of historical knowledge and an understanding of and ability to apply the skills used by historians. The aim is for students to appreciate and be able to apply the type of analytical and critical thinking required to make historically grounded and informed judgements.  History at George Mitchell aims to enforces the role of active citizens in creating change historically and the need for young people to be active participants in the community and globally in improving society.

The development of good literacy, oral, listening and written skills are a key focus for the History department. 

EYFS

In EYFS, children learn to talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles and societies. They learn about similarities and differences between things in the past and now, such as comparisons between their own childhood and that of their adults. Throught stories and role-play, they are exposed to the past and a range of different people and societies.

KS1/KS2

History is taught discretely in alternate half terms, by the class teacher. The learning is underpinned by the National Curriculum, and makes use of the United Learning programme of study. At the start of each unit, children complete a pre-unit assessment to find out their starting points and points of interest to shape future lessons. Do Now and Starter tasks allow vital knowledge to be revisited or pre-learned. Teachers use a range of techniques to engage those students who require support or extension, to ensure that all are suitably challenged. Knowledge organisers are used to promote oracy and develop writing skills. During their lessons, children are challenged to ‘think as historians’: over their time in the primary school, they develop their historical skills alongside secure substantive knowledge.

Assessment

EYFS

The understanding of children in EYFS is continually checked by teachers, using ongoing formative assessment. At the end of the EYFS, they are assessed against the Past and Present Early Learning Goal.

KS1 & KS2

To support the annual reporting of children’s progress, progression grids and curriculum statements are used by teachers to make a ‘best fit’ judgement about key knowledge and skills acquired and developed throughout the year. One of 4 grades is given for History. Children also complete pre- and post-unit quizzes to support teachers to determine strengths and areas for development.

These are recorded centrally and electronically on SONAR.

What can you do at home?

• Share stories and photographs about the past from personal experiences, including those from other countries
• Discuss household items and how they have changed in the adults’ lifetime e.g. landline to mobile; typewriter to tablet etc.
• Share traditions, books and documents from other places
• Watch documentaries together
• Visit museums especially if linked to current or upcoming topics and those of particular interest to your child

These programmes are useful for helping your child to develop a love and knowledge of key times in history:

• Andy’s Wild Adventures (CBeebies)
• Gory Games (CBBC)
• Horrible Histories (CBBC)
• How (Citv)
• Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures (CBBC)
• National Oak Academy
• TED Ed website

Enrichment

We make very good use of the excellent museums on our doorstep. We also have regular visitors, projects and school competitions relating to history.