History Curriculum
History Curriculum (Herne Junior School)
Intent:
At Herne Junior School, we help our pupils to gain a coherent, chronological knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We foster their curiosity to know more about the past and equip them to develop their enquiry skills, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps them to understand 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. In order to promote what it means to be a good British citizen. We aim to work collaboratively to become ‘History Detectives’, by using a range of sources, and elements of the six-step enquiry approach to help guide our learning journey. We adopt an imaginative and creative curriculum model exploring and celebrating our local area and community where possible, these include, exploring the Bronze Age Barrows at the Heath, developing enquiry skills using our very own archaeological dig and round house in our nature area; a trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace, the Watercress Line and Butser Ancient Farm. Additionally, we encourage appropriate members of the local community to share their experiences and sources of evidence with the children.
Implementation:
Through our rich thematic approach we seek to inspire every mind. Our pupils learn key knowledge and concepts such as chronology, characteristic features, change and continuity, cause and consequence, significance, interpretation and historical enquiry. Additionally, they will draw connections to local, national, international, cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history.
- Year 3 – Herne Histories: Journey Through Time (British Study, Stone age to Iron Age) & Rocking Romans.
- Year 4 – Saxons Vs Vikings & Portal to the Past (British Study WW2).
- Year 5 – Ancient Civilisations (An in-depth study of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece and an overview of the Shang Dynasty, Indus Valley and Sumeria).
- Year 6 –Raiders of the lost Mayans, Revolutions (The Victorians and a local study of British History in comparison to Shropshire).
In Key Stage Two, the story of Britain is interwoven with studies of contrasting ancient civilizations. Our pupils explore the different concepts through immersive role-play experiences in the classroom and educational visits, both locally and further afield to the Ironbridge area in Shropshire, help to develop their understanding of life in Britain during different eras. Contrast studies of the ancient civilisations of Rome, Egypt, Greece and Central America are reinforced by ‘Theme’ days with the support of a local drama group, The Rainbow Theatre. Our pupils express their learning through drama, art, discussion and writing and produce high quality Theme Books. This in depth study of history is reinforced by being taught across a range of different subjects including English, Art, Music and D.T.
Impact:
When pupils leave Herne Junior School, their learning in history will have equipped them with knowledge of a broad period of local, British and world history, together with an excellent range of historical skills, a good sense of chronology and their place in the world and history. As they have progressed, their growing historical knowledge will have helped them to understand how people and places have changed over time and how the past shapes our lives today. They will have developed important personal skills such as independence and collaboration. As well as developing a deep love of learning which will empower them to embrace their curiosities about the amazing world around them and recognise how history has shaped it.
“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”
