Our history curriculum allows the children to explore the many voices of a vast and diverse range of topics from the Stone Age right through to the present day. Pupils are encouraged to show courage and be brave enough to showcase their many voices to debate and question the value of different sources and evidence to develop their arguments, while showing respect to a range of opinions from different historical events. Through the use of a diverse range of sources and evidence, our history curriculum enables the children to present their work in a variety of different ways, enabling them to develop their judgements creatively.  

Our history curriculum is built around these core concepts: Community, Knowledge, Power, Democracy, Invasion and Civilisation. 

You can see a full overview of the intent, implementation and impact of our History curriculum  here.

 KEY STAGE 1

The sequence in KS1 focuses on young children developing a sense of time, place and change. It begins with children studying Changes within living memory
to develop an understanding of what has changed within the living memory of the community. This chronological knowledge is foundational to the
understanding of change over time.   Children study the Lives of significant individuals, focusing on David Attenborough and Mary Anning. Chronology and place in time steers the understanding of
the context in which these significant individuals lived. Terms such as legacy are introduced and used within the context of each study. This study is revisited
and enhanced by studying the Lives of further significant individuals, including Neil Armstrong, Mae Jemison, Bernard Harris Jr. and Tim Peake.

In KS1, pupils study local history through significant events, people and places. The locality is further understood by knowing about the places, the buildings,
the events and the people that tell a story of the past. Events beyond their living memory. Here, pupils draw upon early concepts of chronology and connect it to more abstract, but known, events in the past focusing on the Great Fire of London.

LOWER KEY STAGE 2

In lower KS2, pupils study the cultural and technological advances made by our ancestors as well as understanding how historians think Britain changed
throughout the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. Studies of how Britain was settled by Anglo-Saxons and Scots gives a focus on cultural change and the influence of Christianity. Pupils study how powerful
kings and their beliefs shaped the Heptarchy of Anglo-Saxon Britain. Learning also focuses on the Struggle for throne of England through a study of the Vikings, their origins, conquests and agreements with English Anglo-Saxon kings to settle and dwell in the region known as Danelaw. Ancient studies include a focus on Egypt or the Shang Dynasty

UPPER KEY STAGE 2

Ancient history includes the study of Ancient Greek life and achievements. Children learn about the influence Ancient Greece had on the western world. The
understanding of culture, people and places are central to these studies. CUSP History connects these studies with prior knowledge of what was happening in
Britain at the same time. The effect of this is to deepen and connect a broader understanding of culture, people, places and events through comparison.
Later in KS2, knowledge of Anglo-Saxons is revisited and used to connect with a study of the Maya civilisation or The kingdom of Benin. The study compares
advancement of the Maya culture and innovation to that of the Anglo-Saxons around c. AD 900. Here, location, settlement, people, culture and invention are
compared and contrasted.

Recent history is studied in the context of how conflict changed the locality in the Second World War. Modern history is also studied through units such as the
Windrush Generation. Knowing about slavery, Caribbean culture and the injustice of the past enlightens pupils to understand why events happened and how
these pioneers faced racism, discrimination and prejudice. PSHE and SMSC are vital components of the history curriculum - challenging racism and prejudice in
all its forms. This is an integral feature of the CUSP curriculum that spotlights the lessons we can learn from the past.