History

 

History at Messingham

At Messingham Primary School we recognise the importance of a high quality and engaging history curriculum. We aim for it to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past and for them to understand how history helps to shape the future. Our curriculum offers a variety of topics to motivate pupils to delve deeper into the wonders that history offers and thereby become passionate historians.

Our intent:

Our intent is that our teaching of History will help pupils to:

  • gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world to build respect and appreciation. 
  • develop curious learners that can reflect on the past and make meaningful links.
  • ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. 
  • to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and beliefs alongside celebrating these differences. 

 

How we implement this:

At Messingham School, there is a clear and comprehensive progression of skills for History that develops across all Key Stages and has a basis on the requirements of the National Curriculum. Pupils revisit skills in a spiral curriculum, which progresses in terms of depth and challenge and builds on prior learning. 

 

  • History is taught in termly blocks throughout the year, so that children develop a deeper understanding and depth to their learning. 
  • Teachers understand the key knowledge and skills of each topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression throughout each year group across the school.  
  • The children develop progressive skills of a historian throughout their time at Messingham and do not just learn a series of facts about the past. 
  • We use local historical sites to provide first-hand experiences for the children.
  • History is promoted through the celebration of anniversaries, festivals and events throughout the year, which are, where possible, linked with other areas of the curriculum. 
  • Young children explore the past through their environment, family history and stories. 
  • We strive to give opportunities for children to talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. 
  • Children enjoy asking and answering questions and are encouraged to question why things happen and give explanations. 
  • Stories are used to sequence events and develop their use of language relating to time. 
  • We aim that by the end of year 6, children will be secure in drawing comparisons and making connections between different time periods and their own lives. 
  • They will also have a good sense of chronological understanding of British history from the Stone Age to the present day. 

 

The impact:

Our History curriculum is designed to demonstrate progression, embed current skills and build on prior learning. We measure the impact of our curriculum through book looks and informal learning walks by the subject leader to gain an insight of History teaching in practise. In addition to this, the subject leader conducts informal pupil interviews alongside the child’s learning journey to ensure that learning has been achieved sufficiently and can be recalled when prompted. Through this, it is evident that pupils are excited and curious about History.

 

For any queries regarding History at Messingham Primary please contact Miss Hilton our school’s History Coordinator.

History POS