History at St Denys CE Infant School

History is held in high regard across our school with our own rich history, within our local area, celebrated. The history curriculum makes full use resources within the immediate and wider local area, enabling children to develop a deep understanding of the rich history of their locality.

By applying, firstly a lens to each unit, we are able to focus the content being taught more specifically, allowing the children to understand a certain aspect in greater depth. Subject specific concepts are then also used so that the children are able to attach their knowledge to a specific strand of teaching. This also enables the children to build on their knowledge from previous years, based on the concepts that are explored.​

Topics are informed by the national curriculum and are sensitive to children’s interests, as well as the context of the local area. The history curriculum is carefully planned and structured to ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning and that the school’s approaches are informed by current pedagogy.  Introducing new material in small steps, ensuring a high success rate and reviewing knowledge on a regular basis is pivotal to children’s success.​

In line with the national curriculum 2014, the curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils: gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world which helps to stimulate pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past; are encouraged to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement; begin to understand significant people’s lives and the impact they have had on the world around them, the process of change and the diversity of societies.​

A bespoke History curriculum celebrates diversity and allows pupils to appreciate the contributions and achievements of significant people around the world from a variety of backgrounds. Our curriculum celebrates and promotes equality, including gender and race, and allows pupils to gain a deeper understanding of the society around them.