It is our aim that the History curriculum at Ash Green ignites pupils’ curiosity and fascination whilst developing active learners with a passion for the past. Through historical enquiry, they explore how and why the world, our country and local community have developed over time and develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. They reflect on their own life choices, attitudes and values and develop a sense of who they are locally, nationally and globally by considering the ways in which the past influences the present. There is a clear, sequential and structured programme of learning, which has been carefully and coherently planned, in order to meet the needs of all pupils, building on what has been taught before and towards clearly defined, agreed end points.. Our knowledge-rich, skills-based History curriculum reflects Development Matters and the National Curriculum and is set within a context that reflects the needs of the Ash Green school community. It is carefully designed to ensure coverage and progression right from when our pupils join us in our Just Three provision to when our pupils leave us in Year 6. At Ash Green we use whole-school Progression Grids to ensure that historical skills are taught progressively within discrete units of work. For example, in Year 1, pupils begin to sort artefacts from then and now. Pupils build upon these skills in Year 3 to use a range of sources to answer questions about the past and by Year 5, they understand the difference between primary and secondary sources, considering their reliability. To support the Progression Grids, the use of Knowledge Organisers ensures the progression of historical understanding, chronology and vocabulary year-on-year. These are produced half-termly in Early Years and for each discrete unit in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The Knowledge Organisers are shared with all stakeholders, including links to the school website on ‘Class Dojo’ for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and ‘Evidence Me’ for Early Years in order to maximise home-school learning opportunities, and encourage parents and carers to take an active role in their child’s learning. As the school serves a community where there is a high percentage of disadvantaged pupils, we provide historical experiences that pupils may not otherwise have in order to bring the past to life and develop a thirst for new learning, whilst making meaningful links with prior learning. We develop historical enquiry skills through memorable experiences, exploration of a wide range of sources including real artefacts, visits, visitors, events and enrichment activities that take place both inside and outside of the classroom. This provides opportunity for pupils to think critically and to question and challenge sources of evidence, opinions and information. We recognise that the pupils need both a sense of valuing themselves, and developing aspirations for their future, therefore a primary focus of our History curriculum is to raise ambitions and dreams, engender a sense of personal and collective pride in achievement, and provide a purpose and relevance for learning. Our History curriculum provides opportunities to learn about inspirational significant

historical figures, view the world from different perspectives and think about the impact that historical events can have on the world today.

Implementation: Please refer to the History Policy and Scheme of Work for a comprehensive break down of how the History Curriculum is implemented at Ash Green.

Impact: Leaders in school, including the History Manager regularly measure the impact of our History curriculum through Deep Dives and the monitoring of teaching and learning, assessment and on-going self-review. We survey staff, pupils and parents, undertake learning walks, carry out both formal and informal monitoring in order to sample typicality, and also scrutinise samples of work produced by pupils both in school, as well as remotely. We have an established system of Governor review with a Standards and Effectiveness Committee who oversee our curriculum. Governors on this committee receive regular reports, and discussions are held at this committee meeting on successes and upcoming priorities. Based on monitoring and Deep Dives, clear next step priorities for History are agreed as part of a History action plan. The impact will be that our pupils will be academically prepared for the next phase of their education, are motivated to succeed and achieve, and are equipped with all the personal skills to do this. The History curriculum will be rooted in excellence and enjoyment which will promote achievement, collaboration, individual and collective pride, confidence and high standards of behaviour for learning.

See our Knowledge Organisers below.

Overview

Policy and Scheme of Work

Year 4