History Curriculum Rationale

Progression

At Wyndham Primary School, we chose to use Cornerstones for our history curriculum due to its clear progression of knowledge and skills. The curriculum is carefully designed to build upon prior learning, ensuring that pupils develop a deep and coherent understanding of historical concepts as they move through each key stage.

Sequencing

Cornerstones provides a structured sequence of historical topics, allowing pupils to make connections between different periods and events in history. This sequential approach helps to reinforce learning and support pupils in developing a chronological framework of historical events.

Categories of Knowledge

Our history curriculum encompasses practical, theoretical, and disciplinary knowledge. Practical knowledge involves hands-on activities and experiences, theoretical knowledge focuses on understanding historical concepts and themes, and disciplinary knowledge emphasises the skills and methods used by historians to study the past.

Curriculum Content

Our curriculum covers a range of historical concepts including chronology, cause and effect, similarity and difference, significance, and hierarchy. By exploring these concepts, pupils develop a comprehensive understanding of how events in the past have shaped the world we live in today.

National Curriculum Alignment

Our history curriculum aligns with the requirements of the National Curriculum, ensuring that pupils are exposed to a broad and balanced range of historical topics. We go beyond the National Curriculum requirements to provide a rich and diverse curriculum that challenges and inspires our pupils.

Appropriate for Our Pupils

Considering our specific context of increasing FSM and PP cohorts, average levels of SEND, speech and language needs, and a focus on relationships, our history curriculum is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all pupils. It is differentiated to meet the needs of diverse learners and provides opportunities for all pupils to succeed and excel.

Aspirational Intent

Our history curriculum is aspirational, aiming to instil a love for learning about the past and develop critical thinking skills in our pupils. By engaging with historical content in a meaningful and purposeful way, we aim to foster curiosity, empathy, and a sense of identity and belonging in our pupils.

Whole School Aims

Our history curriculum aligns with our whole school vision. By teaching history, we aim to promote a sense of belonging, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a love for learning about the past. History plays a crucial role in shaping our pupils' understanding of the world and their place in it.

Subject Vision

We teach history to empower our pupils with knowledge and understanding of the past. Our intent is to provide a curriculum that is engaging, challenging, and relevant to our pupils' lives. Through history, we aim to broaden our pupils' horizons, deepen their cultural awareness, and equip them with the skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

Communication with Stakeholders

To effectively implement our history curriculum, we will communicate the rationale, aims, and vision to all stakeholders including teachers, parents, and pupils. Regular updates, parent workshops, and curriculum information sessions will be provided to ensure that everyone is informed and engaged in the learning journey. Feedback and input from stakeholders will be valued and used to continually improve and enhance our history curriculum.

To find out more information about our History curriculum intent, how we Implement it and the impact that we hope to have, please read our 3 Is document below.

For further information about our History education programme and the resources we

use, please contact: Miss Lennie , History Subject Lead.