Intent

At Manor Drive Primary Academy, we encourage children to be curious about the past and explore topics that encompass the national curriculum. Pupils will obtain a deep knowledge and understand of events and when in history they occurred.  

We aim to provide students with a coherent and chronological understanding of history.  

• We encourage pupils to be curious and ask questions. 

• Learn to think critically and develop an appreciation for how the past shapes the present. 

• Explore a range of historical periods, people, and events including those in living memory and those beyond living memory. 

•  Foster skills in interpretation, research, and empathy for those who lived before us. 

• We intend for our students to not only learn about historical facts but also understand the significance of history in shaping their own identities and the world around them. 

• Pupils will also be able to define what history is and why it is important. By recapping a definition at the beginning of each lesson.  

Implementation

To implement our history curriculum, we will provide a variety of resources and learning experiences that cater to different learning styles. This includes using both primary and secondary sources, such as historical documents, artifacts, and multimedia. First-hand experiences where possible and hands-on activities to deepen student engagement. We are implementing the CUSP scheme which ensures lessons will be structured in a chronological progression of historical events and aligns with the National Curriculum. Throughout the scheme of learning, we will revisit prior learning to ensure it is embedded and complete cumulative quizzes to increase retention of key knowledge. Cross-curricular links are also made to other subjects such as geography, literacy, and art. Teachers will also facilitate discussion and inquiry-based learning where they will guide students to make connections between historical events and contemporary issues. 

Key features of our implementation include: 

• Holistic Approach:  History is not only about learning facts, but it also encourages children to think deeply about the way lives have changed and directs them in a way to shape the future.  

• Supportive Resources: Staff are supported by CUSP, which ensures high-quality teaching with carefully sequenced lessons that deepen understanding of key concepts and maximise pupil potential.  

• Skill Development: Pupils learning to analyse, critique and explain events that have occurred in history and empathise with the events that occurred in the past.  

• Curriculum Structure: History is taught in three blocks throughout the year, it is alternated with Geography. Throughout the year the children will encounter an event that happened within living memory and one beyond living memory. They will then revisit these events in the final block.  

• Skill Application: Throughout the taught History units there will be opportunities to practice writing skills and techniques through a variety of different end of lesson outcomes. Also, there will be the chance to explore different texts and stories that link to the topic of learning.  

• Showcasing Work: At the end of each unit, we encourage the children to be creative and to create a display that represents the learning for the half term. This will be displayed within the classroom until the following half term.  

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS):  The children explore the history of their lives and reflect upon the changes that have happened. The also discuss the similarities and difference between things now and in the past.  

Assessment 

Assessment will be ongoing and based on students’ ability to think critically, apply historical knowledge, and communicate their understanding effectively throughout lessons. The students will also complete an end of unit quiz at the end of each term to reflect upon their learning.  

Impact

Our history curriculum is designed to leave pupils with a solid foundation of historical knowledge and the ability to think like historians.  

• They will be able to use primary and secondary sources to draw conclusions, form opinions, and develop a deep understanding of how historical events influence modern society. 

•  Through engaging and interactive learning experiences, students will be empowered to ask thoughtful questions, develop empathy for people in different times and places, and recognise the connections between past events and current global issues.  

• Ultimately, our aim is for students to develop a lifelong interest in history and a strong understanding of its relevance. 

Here you can see our history curriculum overview: