History Curriculum Intent

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

(Martin Luther King, Junior)

The History curriculum at Abbey Primary School aims to harness pupils’ natural curiosity about the world; the significant people, events and developments from the past that have paved the way to the present day. An ambitious curriculum design ensures that our pupils develop a sense of identity and celebrates the cultural heritage of our local community. Pupils develop a secure chronological understanding of British history, as well as wider world history, eased by a rich narrative and opportunities to repeat, revisit and practise. Planned opportunities for repetition and retrieval support pupils to know more, do more and remember more. Planning incorporates a blended approach to the teaching of substantive, procedural and disciplinary knowledge, ensuring that pupils are equipped with key historical knowledge, whilst also progressively understanding how historians work to make sense of the past. Throughout the units of History learning, pupils revisit the carefully chosen substantive concepts of:

Settlements – Powerful Figures – Invasion – Development

Explicit teaching and revisitation of these substantive concepts, across a range of historical periods, ensures that pupils make connections within their learning, within and across key stages, as well as gaining a deeper understanding over time.

 The procedures and disciplines of History are secured by progressively planned teaching and application of the second order concepts of:

Our History curriculum develops pupils who:

• Enjoy history lessons as a result of their curiosity, interest and understanding of the past
• Can demonstrate a coherent and chronological understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world
• Know and understand significant events and people that have influenced the contemporary world
• Show understanding of the disciplines and procedures used by historians to construct their understanding of the past
• Can talk with enthusiasm and confidence about their learning using ambitious historical vocabulary