History

Whole School Overview

History Policy

St. Mary’s CE Primary School, Davyhulme

History Policy

All the activities in St Mary’s School are carried out in the Christian spirit and should promote the school values of Faith, Family and Future – Building a positive future for all as part of God’s loving family.

St Mary’s School prides itself in providing equal opportunities for all members of its family regardless of disability, religion, sexual orientation, culture, gender, ethnic origin, colour or age. All pupils have access to the history curriculum, and the right to a learning environment which dispels ignorance, prejudice or stereotyping.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and Assessment Policy, and Marking and Feedback Policy

Intent

All history programmes of study follow the requirements of the National Curriculum 2014.

We intend to give the children in our care all of the necessary tools to become good historians.

We want to create inquisitive learners with a thirst for knowledge who have a good understanding of how history has shaped our lives today.

By the time children leave St Mary’s, we intend that they will have a good secure knowledge of British history and of the ancient civilisations.

The children will have a good sense of chronology and will be able to talk about what has happened in the past with confidence, using historical terminology.

We endeavour to create learners that question evidence sources and look at historical events in different ways.

It is our intention that historical concepts such as chronology, perspective, continuity and change, cause and effect, and empathy, are weaved into the curriculum across the school from Reception to Year 6.

Implementation

We have ensured that all historical skills and historical periods are taught across our school.

The teachers across the school work hard to make sure that their knowledge of the periods of history they are teaching, are secure by researching and using the Historical Association website. They make use of the progression documents provided to them, to ensure that skills and vocabulary are progressive throughout the school.

The children are encouraged to ask questions and to think more deeply about historical events.

Although history is taught as a discrete subject to ensure that historical skills are being covered, we also weave history into other lessons across the curriculum for example in DT, Art, Computing and English.

Children often showcase their learning through fabulous finishes.

To further develop the children’s sense of chronology, we talk about how historical events and periods fit into history and also learn about what was happening locally. We also have a huge timeline along the KS2 corridor, which is used by the whole school, to help the children to make sense of chronology in addition to online scrap books.

Impact

At the end of KS2, we have children who want to learn more about what has happened in the past. They can confidently talk about a range of historical eras and talk about how they have impacted our lives today. They are able to compare different periods of history and have a thirst for knowledge, always wanting to find out more. Children have a secure knowledge of the historical events they have learned about, can use historical vocabulary and have a good understanding of chronology.

Assessment

Children’s work will be marked according to the learning objective for that lesson. Success sheets or vocabulary lists may be used by the children as check lists for self and peer assessment. Work is marked in line with the pupil feedback and marking policy.

Ongoing assessments are made by the teachers against the A3 trackers. This helps them to identify gaps and support children to develop their learning.

Work is monitored and moderated termly at staff meetings.

Date: 23/1/2025

This Policy will be reviewed bi-annually or more frequently if required.

History at St Mary’s