Intent

At Preston Candover CE Primary School, we believe that history is vital to a rich and broad primary education. We aim to deliver a high-quality history education that enables our pupils to make sense of the present by gaining a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We seek to inspire our pupils’ curiosity to investigate the past and develop a secure understanding of chronology. Our history curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to develop both their substantive knowledge of the topics they engage with and their disciplinary knowledge where they are able to ‘see and think like a historian’ through a range of engaging experiences and activities. We place an importance on ensuring our pupils understand that history is not simply a string of events or facts to learn but rather a process in which key skills such as interpretation, making judgements and thinking critically are essential. We aim to equip our pupils with the ability to ask perceptive questions and consider the validity of sources they are presented with, as we believe these skills will enable our pupils to become articulate, resilient and empowered citizens who can make a difference. Through our history teaching, we want our children to encounter rich, diverse stories and contextual details about the past so they develop an appreciation of the diverse world we live in and its history. Our children will leave Preston Candover CE Primary with a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. They will be able to order key periods of history and place them chronologically. They will be able to make comparisons across time between the various topics they have covered. Equally as important, pupils will understand how the past can be known and know that: - History is an account of the past - Accounts differ depending on one’s perspective - We rely on evidence to construct accounts of the past - We must question the reliability of each piece of evidence - Any single piece of evidence is insufficient to build a plausible account The impact of our history curriculum will be measured through pupil conferencing, work sampling and learning walks (see separate impact statement).

Implementation

In Preston Candover CE Primary School, we use our Big Enquiry Questions alongside the Hampshire History Enquiry Packs to ensure our pupils receive a broad and balanced history curriculum. The history curriculum is planned over a two-year cycle through long term and medium term planning, we ensure pupils have maximum exposure to the progression of historical substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge. History is taught in mixed-age classes according to the school structure. To ensure effective progression in the teaching of history, we ensure that each key historical skill is visited at least twice throughout every year to maximise pupils’ progress. Abstract concepts such as civilisation, parliament, sovereignty and monarchy are taught and are revisited throughout the history topics to help develop our pupils’ historical understanding as they progress through the school. To teach history, teachers use the Six Step History Enquiry shown below to build on previous knowledge. Throughout the topics, teachers plan in a variety of visits, workshops, artefacts and resources to bring history into the classroom. Teachers are provided with regular CPD in history from both the subject leader and supporting resources to ensure consistency across the school and improve the quality of history teaching on offer.

Please use the links below to explore our history curriculum further: