Vision: Respect Ourselves, Grow Together, Learn Forever
INTENT
At Greenmeadow Primary School, we deliver a high-quality history education that inspires all children to cultivate a deep curiosity about the past, both in Britain and the wider world. We aim to provide a relevant and exciting curriculum that is flexible and broad, encouraging creative approaches to learning. Our teaching is designed to equip all pupils with the skills to ask perceptive questions, think critically, and weigh evidence from a variety of sources. Through first-hand experiences and engaging activities, we encourage students to develop arguments and perspectives, and form judgements that connect historical events to their lives now and in the future. We recognise the importance of a progressive history curriculum that not only fosters academic skills but also supports mental health and well-being. By creating a stimulating learning environment, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of history that empowers our pupils to understand their place in the world and the impact of the past on their future.
IMPLEMENTATION
At Greenmeadow Primary School, we teach History through topic-based learning to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum where key skills are progressively taught and built upon throughout each child’s educational journey. Our structured progression of skills and clear roadmap enable both teachers and children to visualise their learning journey and understand how current topics connect to previous years. Across the school, every year group will study a history-based unit in 3 terms of the year, taught weekly. We emphasise making connections between historical events, modelling subject-specific vocabulary, knowledge, and skills that are relevant to each unit of study. This approach allows children to integrate new information into larger concepts, fostering a deeper understanding of history as a cohesive narrative.
To create memorable and impactful learning experiences, our historians are provided with a variety of opportunities both in and out of the classroom. These first-hand experiences support and enrich their understanding of historical contexts and events. We strive to help children see History as more than just a record of the past; we want them to grasp how historical events influence their lives today and shape their future.
In each classroom, a timeline is displayed, showcasing various time periods and significant events. This visual aid serves as a reference point for both staff and children, illustrating the links between historical events through cause and effect, further enhancing the contextual understanding of their learning. Through this comprehensive implementation of our History curriculum, we aim to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong appreciation for the subject, empowering children to recognise their place in history and its relevance to their lives.
IMPACT
We aim for:
+ Children to have the ability to connect historical events to their own lives, fostering an understanding of how the past shapes the present and future.
+ Children to have a broad and balanced curriculum that builds key skills progressively, helping them visualise their learning journey.
+ Children to have contextual understanding, illustrating connections between significant historical events and cause-and-effect relationships.
+ Children to have first-hand experiences that enrich their understanding of historical contexts, encouraging critical thinking and the development of informed arguments and perspectives.
+ Children to develop a curiosity and appreciation for the past, cultivating a lifelong love of history and fostering resilient, informed individuals ready to engage with an ever-changing world.
Please find below our History Learning Progression.
History Topic Overview Cycle A
