History

Intent

At St Barnabas Nursery and Primary, we want our children to develop a strong understanding of the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today. History helps pupils to understand change and continuity, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and the significance of people and events.

Our ambition is for pupils to develop both substantive knowledge (knowledge of historical periods, events and people) and disciplinary knowledge (how historians investigate, interpret and construct accounts of the past).

From the earliest years, children begin to talk about their own lives, family history and changes over time. Our Nursery Strong Foundations approach nurtures curiosity, storytelling and early understanding of the past.

We want pupils to leave St Barnabas as thoughtful, reflective and knowledgeable historians who can ask questions, evaluate evidence and understand different perspectives.

Implementation

History is taught through a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum that builds knowledge and understanding over time. Units are organised chronologically and thematically so that pupils can develop a coherent sense of the past.

Teaching focuses on:

• Developing secure knowledge of historical periods, events and significant individuals

• Using a range of historical sources and evidence

• Teaching key historical vocabulary explicitly

• Building chronological understanding

Lessons follow a consistent sequence of Connect, Explain, Example, Attempt, Apply and Challenge, enabling pupils to build understanding step by step.

Knowledge Organisers and Knowledge Notes reduce cognitive load and spotlight the most important information. Retrieval practice is used regularly so that pupils remember and apply prior learning.

High quality oracy is embedded within history lessons. Pupils discuss ideas, explain interpretations, justify viewpoints and use subject specific language confidently.

Where appropriate, history is linked meaningfully with reading, writing and geography to strengthen understanding.

Teachers provide scaffolds and adaptations so that all pupils, including those with SEND or who are disadvantaged, can access and succeed.

Impact

By the time pupils leave St Barnabas, they:

• Have secure knowledge of key historical periods and events

• Understand chronology and can place events in time

• Use historical vocabulary accurately

• Can ask questions, analyse evidence and form reasoned conclusions

• Show curiosity and interest in the past

Pupils leave St Barnabas as confident and reflective historians who understand their place in history and who aspire to continue learning about the past.