History at Mercenfeld

Intent

Our aim for History at Mercenfeld Primary school is to offer high quality education in order to inspire children’s curiosity about the past and enable them to ‘develop coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain and the wider world.’  Through developing children’s enquiry skills, we aim to equip children to become critical thinkers and perceptive learners.

History is delivered through subject specific teaching organised within an overarching topic theme. Meaningful links are then made with other subjects in order to strengthen connections and understandings for pupils.

At Mercenfeld Primary School, we have designed our history curriculum with the intent that our children will:

  • Develop an understanding of chronology.
  • Learn about significant events in British history, European history and the wider world.
  • Discover links and connections between the history they learn and the wider community and locality.
  • Further their knowledge and understanding of change and continuity over time.
  • Analyse and differentiate between source types and how interpretations in history may vary.
  • Develop the skills of enquiry, investigation, analysis, evaluation, debate, problem solving and presentation.

Implementation

Mercenfeld History curriculum is based upon the 2014 Primary National Curriculum in England, which provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught progressively in each Key Stage.

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in history we implement a progressive curriculum through the school. History is taught as part of a termly overarching topic using ‘cornerstones maestro’ to help us to design, deliver and manage our primary history curriculum through creative, exciting and engaging topics, e.g. ‘Movers and Shakers’ (year 2) and ‘Ground-breaking Greeks’ (year 5). This online system also helps us to ensure broad coverage of the history curriculum’s key objectives and enquiry skills.

At Mercenfeld, we provide a variety of learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom in order to create memorable learning opportunities and to further support and develop their understanding. These also including educational visits to museums and other historical sites.

History assessment is ongoing each term in order to inform teachers planning, lesson activities and differentiation throughout the school year, as well as regularly monitoring and evaluating the effective use of resources and good teaching practice around the school.

Impact

At Mercenfeld, children show that they are confident and enjoy talking about their learning in history using subject specific vocabulary. The impact of history learning is measured through a variety of ways such as pupil interviews, book scrutinise and images or videos of practical based learning. Work in books also evidences developing skills being acquired in an appropriate sequence.

Through dedicating time to an abundance of Historical topic based learning and out of school historical trips and experiences, children at Mercenfeld will be able to gain a thorough knowledge and appreciation of important historical people and events in our locality, our country and other parts of the world. Also, how this has effected and has influenced our lives today.