History

Intent

The History curriculum at Durrington Infant School makes full use of resources within the immediate and wider local area enabling children to develop a deep understanding of the rich history in their locality.

Topics are informed by the National Curriculum and are sensitive to children’s interest, as well as the context of the local area. The History curriculum at Durrington Infant School is carefully planned and structured to ensure current learning is linked to previous knowledge and that the schools approaches are informed by current pedagogy. In line with the national curriculum 2014, the curriculum at Durrington Infant School aims to ensure that all pupils;

• Gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past
•  Are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement
• Begin to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.

Implementation

History is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children achieve depth in their learning. Teachers will identify key knowledge and skills of each topic and consideration has been given to ensure progressions across topics throughout the different year groups.

Cross curricular links outcomes in History are specifically planned for, with history days taking place throughout the year. The local area is also fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practise. Planning is informed by and aligned with the National Curriculum. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Every classroom will have a working timeline, which teachers will add to throughout the year, with cross curricular links. Teachers will refer to the timeline as part of the teaching for all subjects when appropriate.  Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge. Within our knowledge-rich approach, there is a strong emphasis on people and the community of our local area.

Impact

Outcomes in topic and floor books evidence a broad and balanced History curriculum and demonstrate the children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review the agreed successes at the end of every session, and are actively encouraged to find any gaps in their learning. Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking and questioning which helps pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and are curious to know more about the past. Through this study pupils learn to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.