History at Plympton St Maurice Primary School 

When the most recent curriculum was introduced by the government, the staff at Plympton St Maurice Primary School worked hard to ensure that History based themes were both fun and engaging for the children whilst covering the essential progression and learning required.

We are continually searching for ways to enhance our curriculum. As a result, over the last 2 years there have been some changes to the Humanities programme. Having attended courses and researched schemes in local schools, it was decided to use the Connect History schemes which were written by an ex teacher. These schemes have been adapted to our school so that the children have the very best experience when learning about these subjects.

Our Intent for our History Curriculum Our History curriculum is designed to meet the content requirements of the National Curriculum. There is a set amount of time specified for each year group. Through our historical lessons, children should be able to develop Life skills, Understanding, Nurture curiosity, Aspiration and Resilience.

Our Implementation for our History Curriculum

Our History curriculum encompasses:

Social and emotional learning,

Talk,

Mastery Learning,

the Arts,

Understand Learning,

Resilience,

Independent Personal learning and thinking,

Collaborative Learning and

Experience rich curriculum.

We cover key skills, with a focus on progression throughout each year group building on prior knowledge. Class teachers are accountable and have autonomy in how they deliver historical concepts, although it is planned in an order set out by the subject leader to provide coherence for pupils.

We use creative and engaging ideas to inspire historical interest in children, with a desire to find out more. Each year group has a progression map of key skills to embed throughout the school year. The key areas of learning in History are grouped as chronology, concepts, interpretation, enquiry and communication. The objectives set per year group are worked on throughout the year across each term.

The Impact of our History Curriculum

Through our History lessons, pupils should learn key vocabulary and be able to apply their Historical skills to a range of Historical enquiries. Specific skills will have been developed including:

Key stage 1 

• Pupils develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time.
• They should know where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods.
• They should use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms.
• They should ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events.
• They should understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.
• Pupils are taught about changes within living memory.
• Significant events and people beyond living memory such as the Great Fire of London and Elizabeth I.

Key stage 2

• Pupils should continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history.
• They should note connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms.
• They should regularly address and sometimes devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference, and significance.
• They should construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information.
• They should understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources.
• Pupils are taught local and world history, though the Stone Age, the Vikings, The Romans and Victorians,
• Pupils learn about early civilizations through the Mayans, Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, contrasting and comparing different cultures.

Our curriculum:

Foundation Class (Squirrels)

Follow the Early Years’ programme which can be found on the school’s website.

Year 1 (Hawks)

Queen Elisabeth 1

Year 2 (Magpies)

The Great Fire of London

Year 3 (Hedgehogs)

The Stone Age

Egypt

Year 4 (Swallows)

The Roman Empire

The Victorian Empire

Year 5 (Foxes)

The Mayans

Greece

Year 6 (Owls)

Vikings

World war 2

Additional opportunities for History include visits linked to the class topic, such as Saltram House, Kent’s Caverns,  and Buckfast Abby. We are lucky to have a fantastic local area to support the learning.

The School takes part in all significant events such as Remembrance day and events that will part of history such as the Royal weddings.