Intent

As stated in the The National Curriculum, at Kingsbury we deliver a high-quality history education which helps pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world through a chronological narrative from the earliest times to the present day. In both keystages the children ask and answer questions to show they understand key features of events. Pupils use historical enquiry to understand how evidence is used to make historical claims. They understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance. Children use these concepts to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically-valid questions and create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses.

All about History at KPS

History is taught through half termly themes. Each theme is taken from the scheme Connected History which is linked directly to the National Curriculum. Each theme is taught through historical enquiry using key questions, historical evidence and sources. Sometimes the themes are linked to a fiction text particularly in Key stage 2. Three themes are completed each year. To cater for mixed age classes, the topics are arranged into Year A and Year B (see long term plan) and therefore do not always follow in chronological order but emphasis is put on revisiting timelines and events to ensure an understanding of chronological order. Timelines will be evident in each phase too, to encourage children to further understand chronology. 

Work is placed in the red curriculum books – often in the form of narrative and non-narrative writing. A display is evident, linked to the history theme, in classrooms or corridors. Resources are found within the Connected History files and other history resources are found in the Resource Room.  Day trips take place when relevant and visitors come into school.  

Keystage 1 : 

Children learn: changes within living memory – 1960s Toys – How do our favourite toys and games compare with those of children in the 1960s?

Events beyond living memory – Why was Charles sent to prison (WW1)?

Significant historical events - Pompeii – How do we know so much about where Sappho used to live? 

People and places in their own locality – Why is the history of my locality significant (Robert Peel)? 

The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements – What does it take to be a Great Explorer? and Who is the greatest history maker? (focus on Guy Fawkes )

Keystage 2 :  

In Y3/4 children learn:

The Stone Age: How did the lives of ancient Britains change during the Stone Age?

The Bronze Age - What is the secret of the standing stones?

The Iron Age - How do artefacts help us understand the lives of people in Iron Age Britain? 

Romans - How did the arrival of the Romans change Britain? 

Vikings - What did the Vikings want and how did Alfred help to stop them getting it? 

A local study – coal mining – an aspect of national history at one location.

In Y5/6 children learn:

The Anglo- Saxons - Who were the Anglo Saxons and how do we know what was important to them? (Link to the Staffordshire Hoard)

Shang Dynasty - How did a pile of Dragon bones help to solve an Ancient Chinese mystery?

The British Empire - Why did Britain once rule the largest empire the world has ever seen?

Maya/non-European - Why did the ancient Maya change the way they lived?

Battle of Britain - Why was winning the Battle of Britain in 1940 so important?

Ancient Greece - The story of the Trojan Horse historical fact, legend or classical myth?

Home Learning links