At Upwood Primary Academy, our intention is to ensure that when every student studies history, they gain a wide range of skills and knowledge that will enable them to make sense of the world around them. The History curriculum will encourage the children to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the world, reflecting on key aspects of global, British and local history. In an increasingly multicultural society, children will gain a greater sense of self, by developing knowledge of how nations and ethnicities have been interconnected throughout time; linking the past and the present.  

They will develop the skills of a historian; questioning, critically analysing and presenting using a wide range of media. They will develop skills through research, reading, writing and speaking. Students will gain an understanding of the eras, people and events that have shaped the world in which we live. As well as learning in the classroom, children will develop their love of history by learning outside the classroom and on educational visits.  

In the modern day, with the role of social media in society, a new trend of ‘fake news’ has infiltrated society.  Developing good historians means developing people who are able to critically analyse.  One of the core aims in the teaching of history is to give children the skills to look at a source and analyse its purpose and authorial intent to critically gauge its reliability and trustworthiness. 

History is naturally an investigative subject which develops an understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. By using children’s interests and pre-existing knowledge as a starting point, teachers are able to tap into this investigative power. Much of the historical learning is studied sequentially meaning that as well as each theme being discreet, it fits into a wider chronology allowing students to understand changes that happen across eras and throughout the past. For example, in any historical era, children can learn about the children of the time.  This develops historical understanding as well as the empathy required to understand the lives and choices made by others. 

The National Curriculum is the starting point of planning any unit of teaching in History.  To supplement the study areas defined for each phase of education, the teacher will plan to address the following questions: 

• What are the similarities and differences with the modern day? 

• Who are the people that shaped the era/event? 

• How do we know about it? 

• What were the lives of children like? 

History is taught as a theme across a term. With an era or event at its heart, a historical theme provides links and ways in to other curriculum areas, particularly the other ‘humanities’ such as Geography and RE.  By teaching a theme over a term, teachers are able to give children a deep understanding and equip them with the ‘powerful knowledge’ required to have a greater level of expertise. 

Children have the skills required to undertake Historical studies at the next stage of their education.  As well as developing their knowledge, teaching and learning at primary level fosters enquiry, enjoyment and the ability to critically analyse the world of information around them. Children are able to use the language that is specific to the subject accurately and recognise the power of asking probing questions.