History

 

Curriculum Intent

Grange Junior School aims to develop children’s curiosity and  knowledge of the past and enable them to see and think like historians.

Through our history curriculum  we aim to spark interest and enjoyment in the study of history.  Our intention is that our curriculum will  also enable all  learners  to access it and to have a better understanding of  history related concepts (such as civilisation) and the concepts that historians work with, including the process of change and some of its causes,  consequences and similarities and differences across different societies, (both in Britain and across the wider world). We intend that our learners will leave our school with a growing cultural capital of the significance of people, places  and events through time and how these have influenced our lives today.

Our history curriculum has been carefully mapped out to include some golden threads of essential knowledge and skills that pupils will be taught.  These are mapped under four main foci;  culture, conflict, change and cultivation of history skills.

CULTURE (with a focus on characteristic features)

  • Learn about different societies from the past, both in the UK and from the wider world
  • Learn about some of the ‘everyday’ features of different societies (including attitudes, values, practices, beliefs) and think about how human instincts, thoughts and acts have a cultural history which may relate to the present.

CONFLICT (with a focus on cause and consequence)

  • Learn about some of the issues, struggles, difference of opinion and ordeals faced by some societies in the past. (The basis of conflict might be personal, racial, political or international and may relate to/impact society today)

CHANGE (with a focus on change and continuity)

  • Learn about some of the changes, alterations or transformations that have occurred in societies in the past. (Changes might result from a variety of factors including technological advancements, social movements, wars etc.)

CULTIVATION OF THE METHODS OF LEARNING ABOUT THE PAST (with a focus upon enquiry)

  • Learn some of the abstract terms specifically relating to history (e.g. empire, civilisation)
  • Understand the nature of historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similar and different, significance, interpretation

Curriculum implementation

At Grange, our history curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum, as well as other experiences and opportunities which best meet the needs of our children.

History is organised into half-termly topics based around a key question or statement designed to encourage curiosity.  Each unit of learning engages children through an enquiry question that aims to develop children’s understanding and knowledge about a period of time as well as developing children as cultivating the methods of learning about the past.

British history units of work are taught in chronological order so that it continues to develop children’s chronological understanding of British history.  The study of civilisations from across the world are sequenced dependent upon the complexity of concepts that will be taught. Additionally pupils undertake a local history study which is sequenced to build an understanding of how historians work.

Curriculum impact

Throughout the years of learning history at Grange, children gain a growing knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.

Pupils begin to develop an understanding different past societies from around the world including some of their everyday attitudes, values, prejudices, rituals and practices.

Pupils develop an understanding about the process of change, including the types of thing that influence change such as technological advancements.

Pupils develop an understanding about the challenges faced by different groups of people of their time.

Pupils begin to develop an understanding of the methods of historical enquiry.