Intent

We believe that learning about significant events and people in History should lay the foundations for an enquiring and questioning mind. Pupils at St. Joseph’s develop an understanding of their local heritage and its significance. The breadth of historical knowledge the pupils are given and the exposure to how life was in the past, aims to motivate the children to develop an inquisitive mind that asks questions such as how life today came about.

We will teach children the skills to be a good historian; how to research and gather information, to develop their skills of enquiry and analysis as well as starting to question information gathered and its reliability.

We believe that class and whole school educational visits, and visitors to the school, linked to historical study enhance and enthuse pupil’s by learning by bringing to life classroom knowledge.

Implementation

Our history curriculum is linked where appropriate to our Novel Studies approach in Key Stages One and Two. A variety of teaching and learning styles develop children’s enthusiasm, knowledge, skills and understanding.

Educational visits provide unforgettable experiences and help to explain to the children about their own local history and how Pickering and its surrounding villages, towns and countryside have been shaped by these historical developments. Educational visits and learning about our locality help to bring history to life.

Assessment is an ongoing process. The key skills taught are :

• Chronological understanding
• Range and depth of historical knowledge
• Interpretation of History
• Historical Enquiry
• Organisation and communication

Impact

Pupils leave St. Joseph’s with an enquiring mind that has developed a chronological knowledge of key historical periods and facts, combined with knowledge of significant individuals who have helped shape society as it is today. Pupils develop key historical skills combined with good subject knowledge.

Pupils are engaged with their learning and are confidently able to talk about what they have learnt in History using subject specific vocabulary. Pupils also clearly enjoy their History lessons and are able to recall their learning from their current and previous classes.

Pupils complete research independently through projects and homework and to further their own enjoyment about the subject or topic. Pupils work demonstrates that history is taught at an age appropriate standard across each year group with opportunities planned in for pupils working at greater depth. Assessments and monitoring show standards in History are and match standards in other subject areas.

History Curriculum