Whitechapel Church of England Primary

At Whitechapel CE Primary School, we are HISTORIANS! We work to develop a love of History and nurture ambitions to grow up wanting to be archaeologists, research analysists, museum curators and archivists. Our History Curriculum stimulates the children’s interest and understanding about the life of people who lived in the past. We teach a sense of chronology so that children appreciate how things have changed over time, know about significant events and people in World and British History and understand how the past influences the present. Whilst developing skills of enquiry, investigation and analysis, the children will ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments as well as develop personal opinions and judgement. Learning in History will ensure that our children understand how Britain (their country of residence) developed as a society. The children will study aspects of local, British and Ancient History allowing pupils to appreciate the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and beliefs whilst celebrating these differences. They will gain an understanding of how the past influences the present as well as the fact that we can use past events to guide our choices, decisions, attitudes and values today. 

Clear long-term planning based on skills mapping and knowledge organisers and key questions from ‘KeyStage History’  ensure coverage of the National Curriculum requirements. Therefore, all teachers have a clear understanding of what is to be taught, what the children already know and what they will go on to learn next. Our curriculum subjects are taught discretely to ensure high quality learning in every subject.

We follow National Curriculum guidelines to ensure all aspects, knowledge and skills of History are being taught across all year groups and use progression grids to ensure there is clear skills, knowledge and vocabulary progression throughout school.  

History is taught through allocated units of work from Year 1 up to Year 6. Children in Reception start to learn about History in the Understanding of the World strand in the EYFS Framework. 

The Keystage History Scheme (used for most units) as well as units of work from other sources, ensure children have the opportunity to develop skills year on year, and knowledge about the periods of history studied. 

Where appropriate, we use historical artefacts, visitors, workshops and visits to excite and intrigue our children to find out more about events and people from the past. We aim to give our children as much understanding as possible about what is was like to be around at a particular period in history by having practical and experiential lessons where possible. 

Through the high quality teaching of History taking place we will see the impact of the subject in different ways. 

Through pupil voice, children will be able to talk about the skills and knowledge they have acquired. Children will be engaged in History lessons and want to find out more. Children will complete research independently through projects and homework set in Homework Bingo and to further their own enjoyment about the subject or topic. 

Work will show that a range of topics is being covered, cross curricular links are made where possible and differentiated work set as appropriate. The school environment will be history rich through displays, resources and vocabulary.  

As historians, children will learn lessons from history to influence the decisions they make in their lives in the future.   

Click here to view the curriculum map