History

Overview 

History is the study of events over time. It covers how the past influences our lives and shapes our customs and beliefs. History helps children to develop a sense of identity and to make sense of the world in which they live.  

History is taught as a specific subject in Key Stage 1 in which the children develop interest and curiosity about the past.  The use of artefacts, practical activities and educational visits fosters interest and enjoyment and provides concrete experiences. The children gain knowledge and understanding about historical periods, significant events in the past and lives of people in the past as well as how to appreciate how things have changed over time. The period and significant events have been selected that have the most meaning to our children.

The structure allows the children to develop a sense of chronology as well as help children understand society and their place within it so that they develop a sense of their own identity. 

Children develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time. At the start of the unit, children are provided with vocabulary so they are confident in the use of everyday historical terms. They are able to ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events. The way the units are planned encourages children to know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and they are able to identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. This enables the children to understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.

The children are taught about:

• Changes within living memory– where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life
• Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
• The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements, some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods
• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

EYFS: In the Early Years, pupils will explore the difference between the past and the present. They will learn to identify events in their own pasts including their birth and special events that have occurred in their families or in school. They will expand on this understanding of the past by considering past settings, characters and events that they encounter in stories that they are exposed to.

Year 1 

 Year 2