History

Why do we teach History?

We follow the Primary National Curriculum for History in England and we want our children to think like Historians...

History is a subject which enables children to engage with the past and gain an understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Children will be learning about people of significance; be inspired to research famous events; roll their sleeves up for the nasty, gory stuff; weigh evidence, sift arguments and think critically forming their own judgements.  

History helps our children discover stories from our ancestors and develop an understanding of how complex life is. They will see how changes affect societies and relationships between groups, as well as see how we are creating living history right here, right now! 

What do we teach in History?

GLA History and Geography overview 2024/25

GLA History and Geography overview 2025-26

What does the National Curriculum say?

The National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 aims to build on the knowledge learnt in Early Years and KS1 at Rowanfield Infant School. It asks that children continue to develop a secure chronological awareness and understanding across British, local and World history understanding how these time periods overlap and interlink. Children study a range of topics such as Stone Age to Iron Age, Ancient Egypt and Greece and a focus on local transport History.  As the years progress, children explore Women throughout History, Early Islamic Civilisation and Colonialism. They will look for connections, contrasts and trends over time using historical vocabulary. They will use this knowledge to create historically valid questions investigating change, cause, similarity and difference as well as significance. They will use this knowledge to create informed responses using a range of sources to confirm their thinking.  

Using the National Curriculum for History we aim to ensure that all our children can: 

• Order events in time from past to present, understanding the impact people have on our history and how Britain has changed and been influenced by this and the wider world.
• Know and understand the significance of different aspects of history: ancient empires, ancient civilisations, features of society, achievements of mankind and how this has impacted on the world of today.
• Understand and use the vocabulary of History, understanding the meaning of words such as parliament, empire, civilisation as well as many others.
• Understand historical concepts: continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference as well as significance and use these ideas to make connections, draw contrasts, identify trends and create valid historical questions to use in their own written accounts.
• Use historical enquiry to identify if sources of evidence are valid and how they are used to make historical claims.
• Develop their historical perspective understanding how their growing knowledge connects in different contexts: developing an understanding of local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, religious and social history as well as short term and long-term timescales.

What is the intention of our History curriculum?

History has always been held in high regard at both Rowanfield schools and is an integral part of enabling our children to become inquisitive learners who understand their place in society. 

The History curriculum at Rowanfield makes full use of resources within the immediate and wider local area, enabling our pupils to develop a deep understanding of the rich history of their locality. Topics are informed by the National Curriculum and are sensitive to pupil’s interests, as well as the context of the local area. The History curriculum at Rowanfield is carefully planned and structured to ensure that the knowledge and skills (disciplinary knowledge) being taught are progressive and that the school’s approaches are informed by current pedagogy. In line with the National Curriculum (core knowledge), the curriculum at Rowanfield aims to ensure that all pupils: gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. This gives our pupils an understanding of the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. 

Our pupils achieve a depth of learning in History through effective planning, teaching and experiences. Through our disciplinary knowledge, children revisit key facts and information with retrieval activities ensuring that new knowledge is secured in their long-term memory. The key knowledge and skills of each topic have been identified and consideration has been given to ensure progression throughout the school. By the end of Key Stage Two, pupils will have a chronological understanding of History from the Stone Age to the present day. They will be able to draw comparisons and make connections between different time periods and their own lives. 

Our commitment to ensure all our pupils reach their potential in History is supported by several enhancement activities including trips, visitors and artefact boxes. Through our History curriculum, children are able celebrate the history, diversity and cultural wealth of the school’s wider community. Children are able contribute to national historical events such as Remembrance Day and are also given the opportunity to learn to about the heritage of their local area. Our local History topics are an integral part of the learning at Rowanfield and these help to highlight the diversity of the wider community, whilst also instilling in every child a life-long love of history.

How could you support your child?

Share your family history 

Make history relatable by sharing your own family history with your child. Share fun memories of the people and places in your childhood and encourage your child to talk about their favourite memories as well. Share photographs with them from the past and talk about the difference between then and now. 

Books and Television 

Use books or TV programmes as a conversation starter about the past. Read about people and events that have made a difference in the world. Try visiting your local library to discover a wider range of books. 

Commemorate important historical events 

Make your child aware of historical events such as Remembrance Day. Discuss why they are important and think of ways that you can commemorate them together. Watch the news together and explain why this is happening and why. 

Gallery

Useful links and resources

• BBC Bitesize
• Key Stage History
• DK Find Out!
• Historical Association
• Books – A street through time 

Other suggested books can be found here