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Primary History

“The most powerful weapon you can use to change the world is education.”

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

We aim to instil a passion for history in all of our children, teaching and nurturing the subject knowledge, skills and understanding, as set out in the National Curriculum History Programmes of Study and beyond. From EYFS to Y6, children learn about key events and significant people within a historical timeline and critically consider how they have shaped the world today.

What can you do at home?

  • Share stories and photographs about the past from personal experiences, including those from other countries
  • Discuss household items and how they have changed in the adults’ lifetime e.g. landline to mobile; typewriter to tablet etc.
  • Share traditions, books and documents from other places
  • Watch documentaries together
  • Visit museums especially if linked to current or upcoming topics and those of particular interest to your child

These programmes are useful for helping your child to develop a love and knowledge of key times in history:

Andy’s Wild Adventures (CBeebies)

Gory Games (CBBC)

Horrible Histories (CBBC)

How (Citv)

Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures (CBBC)

National Oak Academy

TED Ed website

Enrichment

We make very good use of the excellent museums on our doorstep. We have a close relationship with UCL and our Year 5s are privileged to be a key part of the Takeover The Museum project – click the link to explore Yew Class’s fabulous virtual takeover in 2020!

History is an important part of our Enrichment lessons, where children can choose to take 5 week courses in various extra-curricular subjects. It also features on our Calendar of Events, which includes visitors, projects and school competitions.

Curriculum, Planning and Assessment

Children’s progress in History is monitored through the skills progression maps, learning walks, lesson observations, book looks, ‘pupil voice’ and with regular CPD to ensure teachers’ knowledge and practice is refreshed and up-to-date.

History is taught as a discrete subject each alternate half term but where relevant, links are forged and deepened through other subjects and half term topics often have History as their base. An emphasis is placed on vocabulary through morning starter activities, word mats, displays and lesson starters.

To excite and engage pupils, we use a range of sources and experiences. These include: historical artefacts, visitors, workshops, off-site visits, videos, books, drama and stories.

At George Mitchell, quality first teaching is a non-negotiable. Engaging inclusive history lessons are planned carefully so that all pupils learn. We know this from: speaking with children, looking carefully at books and display around the school and in classrooms, end of unit assessments and annual data reviews.

We recognise the value of historical knowledge to add to the deep reservoir of cultural capital George Mitchell aims to build and fill for each of our children. We also believe in teaching children the importance of evaluating sources and to think critically, considering more than their own current viewpoint.

Skills Progression Maps for History

History-skills-progression-KS1

History-skills-progression-LKS2

History-skills-progression-UKS2