History at Rockbeare is designed to ignite curiosity, foster understanding and celebrate the richness of the past.

'A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots'.

Marcus Garvey

At Rockbeare Primary, our history curriculum is a captivating journey through time. We ignite curiosity, explore diverse cultures, and empower children to understand the past, shaping informed citizens of the future.

Our goal is for our pupils to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our exciting and broad curriculum has been designed to inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past and significant aspects of History through questioning and investigation of key concepts throughout history, such as invasion, settlement, achievements and impact on influencing changes in time periods. We want to ensure that learning is engaging and actively promotes an understanding of key historical events through the exploration of skills and knowledge. Teachers plan lessons so that children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and its links to present day. We encourage children to have a fascination about the world and its people, further embedding an understanding of diversity in the ever-changing world. 

Our history principles linked to our core values.

Curious about the past and connect events through chronology skills. 

Appreciate the richness and diversity of human history, gaining a deeper understanding of cultures and societies.

Research and investigate historical sources, analyse evidence and draw informed conclusions.

Empathise by exploring different perspectives, allowing them to put themselves in the shoes of people from the past.

Our Intent

We intend to inspire all children and tailor our teaching and learning to suit their needs. As well as following a key-stage appropriate progression programme of study, where children are taught the explicit historical skills whilst learning the key concepts of a range of historical events.  We also plan many opportunities for cross-curricular learning including trips and visitors, maximising the use of our surroundings and local area. Pupils are expected to take responsibility for leading their own learning, build on prior knowledge and ask questions to apply key skills independently. Key vocabulary for units of study are mapped out and revisited to ensure children understand, use and are confident to use historical language.

Our Implementation

We have a 2 year rolling programme of History themes, based on a scheme of work called Key Stage History which is based around the aims and attainment targets of the National Curriculum.  The curriculum is designed to build on prior knowledge, provide a high-quality progression of skills from EYFS to Year 6 and it allows the children to successfully make connections with other areas of their learning. Teachers modify teaching approaches to ensure that the curriculum and learning is accessible for all. 

Aims in History:

Early Years

Pupils will be taught to:

Talk about members of their immediate family and community.

Enjoy pictures and stories about themselves, their family and other people. 

Show interest in the lives of people who are familiar to them and remember and talk about significant events in their own experience. 

Key Stage 1

By the end of Key Stage 1, pupils will be taught about:

Changes within living memory 

Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally 

The lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements, some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods 

Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

Key Stage 2 

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will be taught about:

Time periods, including chronological order, and significant events; Romans, Saxons, Scots, Vikings, Mayans, Ancient Greece, Victorians, WW2, Stone Age, Iron Age, Ancient Egypt.

Relevant local history 

Our History Skills. 

We follow our progression of skills document alongside our knowledge curriculum to ensure that children are taught how to be historians. (See progression of skills below).  We use these symbols so children understand what the skills are and how they develop these. 

History learning:

We know that learning in history takes place most effectively when:

1. Children build on what they already know, making connections and develop their understanding.

2. Children feel relaxed and secure so they are willing to take risks.

3. Children feel confident about their ability to master new learning.

4. Tasks set present achievable challenges.

5. Children can discuss their ideas.

6. They can discuss their ideas.

7. They are well motivated and the work is relevant to them.

8. They are encouraged to learn in different ways. 

Our Impact

Children will leave each year with the knowledge and skills required to enable them to access and apply the subsequent learning.  Children will be aware of different historians and world events and their contribution to the world.  Children will be able to make links to previous learning and understand the relevance of these connections. 

Assessment monitoring and review:

Pupils will be assessed on their subject knowledge, skills and application, against our planned curriculum, which has overarching curricular goals for each year group that children are expected to achieve.

Attainment judgements will be made against a range of evidence including – written/printed evidence, teacher/pupil discussions, conferencing and self or peer reflections. Teachers ensure prior knowledge and previous learning goals are secure before moving on to new content.

End of unit assessment projects or tasks could be used to assess the acquisition of skills and knowledge against the curricular goals for the unit of work. There will be opportunities for children to demonstrate new learning and learning over time. 

At the end of each unit of work, teachers assess children against the curricular goals. Review of Medium Term Plans support teachers to know what areas have been secured and how the attainment of the children impacts on future planning. Subject leaders and senior leaders will have discussions with pupils and teachers, alongside our curriculum plans and evidence of work, to ensure that all essential elements of our curriculum have been delivered.