At Sacred Heart, our History curriculum encourages children’s curiosity about the past and helps them understand how historical events have shaped the world they live in today. Through a progressive and inclusive approach, children build chronological understanding, develop critical thinking skills and gain an appreciation for the diversity of human experience. Lessons are carefully planned using the National Curriculum and Dimensions to ensure knowledge and skills are built upon year by year, with a strong focus on vocabulary and enrichment opportunities. All pupils, regardless of ability, are supported to achieve and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world through the study of history.
Called To Change
Our History curriculum supports children’s natural curiosity about the past of Britain and the wider world which plays an essential part in preparing our pupils for living and working in the contemporary world. We want our pupils to develop a chronological framework for their knowledge, appreciate the diversity of human experience and understand more about themselves as members of society.
Intent
All children, including the most disadvantaged pupils, the most able pupils with SEND receive the same challenge within the same board curriculum
Children develop their vocabulary and knowledge in History and across the wider curriculum to close the gap and improve understanding
History is progressively more challenging years 1 through 6, both in terms of the complexity of the subject knowledge. We want pupils to acquire the critical thinking skills and understand their knowledge
Children are given the opportunity to see and experience history through resources in school and enhancements
Lessons allow children to develop their historical knowledge to ensure they are making progress.
Implementation
In the Early Years, children develop basic skills and knowledge through ‘Understanding the World’.
All lessons contain different levels of challenge linked to the learning objective and all children access an age appropriate curriculum. IT ensures all children can succeed in tasks by responding in a variety of ways
Teachers have expert knowledge of the subjects that they teach and all lessons contain challenging, relevant vocabulary to extend children’s word banks
Planning for all history lessons are done using the 2014 National Curriculum. These are the foundation to implement our Called to Change curriculum to ensure that knowledge, skills and understanding is developed throughout the year (short-term) and the Key Stage (long-term). Planning is sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before and towards defined end points.
Impact
All children of all abilities achieve in all lessons. The most disadvantaged children and children with SEND are given the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. All children are taught a broad, rich curriculum and still achieve success in examinations and tests.
Children’s vocabulary is improved across the Key Stage and is extensive by the end of Year 6. Children can confidently access a range of texts and write interesting and engaging pieces.
Children develop their knowledge and skills in History and reach national expectations or above by the end of each Key Stage.
Children are developing their cultural capital and being given new opportunities to enhance learning and understanding.
Children understanding of their knowledge in History is developed and built upon every year.
Assessment
In our school, we regularly complete recap discussions about connecting learning units, to identify children understand the matters, skills and processes specified in programmes.
The standards and criteria set by the National Curriculum which are recorded on Insight annually.
Year 7 - Life After Sacred Heart
We are part of the Mater Christi Trust and work closely with Secondary Schools in our family. We want to ensure that all children have a successful and positive transition between Key Stage 2 and 3 and are prepared for their adult life as well.
We ensure that the children focus on a wide range of historical knowledge that will assist them in Key Stage 3. This will also develop their confidence in this subject area which will help them connect with new students as they transition into Year 7.
We focus on their oracy skills during all of our history lessons, projects and field trips which ensures children are able to fully participate as part of a group in a larger setting.
Their time at Primary school ensures that they are fluent in and have mastered the knowledge and skills needed for the Key Stage 2 curriculum and are ready for accessing the Key Stage 3 curriculum in depth.