'Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.'

Deuteronomy 32:7

'All of us benefit from remembering our past. A people which remembers does not repeat past errors; instead, it looks with confidence to the challenges of the present and the future.'

Pope Francis 

At St Mary's, we believe that learning about History is important because it helps us understand significant events that have impacted the world we live in. It also gives us the valuable opportunity to learn about other cultures. Learning about God's world and its inhabitants gives us a deeper appreciation of his creation.

The school follows the Cornerstones curriculum, which focuses on learning history through wider creative topics which have cross curricular links. Children have opportunities to learn about historical events through exploring chronology, comparing and contrasting important events, as well as discovering cause and effect of key historical moments. 

Statement of Intent

The National Curriculum states that all children should receive a high-quality history education that inspires pupil’s curiosity to know more about the past, and understand the complexity of people’s lives as well as the changes and challenges they have experienced. As pupils progress, they should develop the ability to think critically, weighing evidence in order to improve their perspectives and judgements.

Implementation

The history curriculum ensures that the children develop their chronological understanding, identify significant events in the past, use a range of historical enquiry and concepts, as well as gain historical perspectives entrenched in their knowledge of contexts. These key aims are embedded in the Cornerstones curriculum, as well as celebrations (such as Black History Month) that takes place throughout the year. The key elements of history are taught in classroom lessons so that children are developing their understanding of significant events in relation to the wider chronological narrative. All history topics look at the chronological events relevant to their topic as well as placing them in the wider chronological narrative. Children are able to make links and comparisons to how key events have shaped Britain as well as their role in influencing the wider world. Abstract terms, such as ‘empire’ and ‘civilisation’, are introduced in relevant topics and their understanding of this historically language is referred to and developed throughout the school. Key concepts of continuity and change, as well as cause and consequence, are explored in different topics in order to develop their ability to draw connections, contrasts and analyse trends. The key tools of historical enquiry are taught throughout the school alongside opportunities for them to gain historical perspectives by placing growing knowledge into different contexts.

Impact

The key focus of developing historical enquiry and understanding, gives children transferable skills of critical thinking and analysis. History’s focus on arguments supported by relevant evidence, enables children to develop other fundamental skills, such as: self-confidence, awareness of the consequences of actions and a deeper understanding of themselves. The history curriculum allows children to learn about how the country we live in has been shaped by the lives of those in the past. As well as learning about significant aspects of the history of the wider world. This not only gives them the opportunity to deepen the understanding of their own lives, but to also consider the lives and cultures of other people around the world. The transferable nature of historical skills, gives children a valuable critical and analytical approach to their learning which will also benefit them as they grow older. Impact will be assessed through group as well as independent work. This assessment should show the development of historical skills as well as the understanding of key historical knowledge. Pupil voice will also give children the opportunity to impact the provision of History at St Marys.

Enrichment 

Anglo-Saxon Workshop - Year 4's topic is Invasion. They had a workshop about the Anglo-Saxons. It was an amazing opportunity to handle artefacts, write Saxon letters and learn about life during that time.

Jubilee Day - In celebration of the Queen's 70th Jubilee, each class dressed up as a different decade from her reign. The children learnt about the decade and created artwork inspired by the Queen. At the end of the day each class paraded around the playground to a piece of music (from their decade) to show their amazing outfits to parents. It was a great celebration!