History

History teaches us about our past so that we can understand how we arrived at our present and decide what we should plan for the future

INTENT

The National Curriculum for History states that by the end of Key Stage 2, pupil’s should be taught about (the topics chosen for Arno Vale are highlighted):

• Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age (How did Britain change from the Stone Age to the Neolithic Age?)
• The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain (What were the consequences of the Roman invasion of Britain?)
• Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots (How did the Anglo Saxons change Britain?)
• The Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor (How did the Anglo Saxons change Britain?)
• A local history study (What effect did the Second World War have on Nottingham?)
• A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 (What effect did the Second World War have on Nottingham?)
• The achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of one of the following: Ancient Sumer; The Indus Valley; Ancient Egypt; The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China (How do we know so much about Ancient Egypt?)
• Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world (What are the significant Ancient Greek achievements?)
• A non-European society that provides contrasts with British history (Why did the Mayan Civilisation fall?)

The scope of what is covered in Arno Vale matches with the expectations of the National Curriculum. By the end of year 6, children should have a sense of

IMPLEMENTATION

Children will have one unit of History every term and so will have three units a year. Previous learning will be covered during Practice times so previous learning will be consolidated and able to be built upon in subsequent lessons.

There is a structured building and assimilation of vocabulary which is be repeatedly visited and practised. This is done through the provision of a vocabulary list so that there can be a pre teach of words that will be coming up in subsequent lessons, as well as the revisiting of vocabulary during Practice time.

Teacher’s planning will be supplemented by resources kept in the school and a school wide subscription to the Historical Association.

IMPACT

By the time that children leave Arno Vale, they will have covered the National Curriculum, and the rigour and scope of what they have learned will give them an informed sense of British History as well as world history. They will have practised various skills which are specific to the discipline of historical enquiry.

The careful building of vocabulary, in turn will improve reading across all subjects. Teachers use ongoing formative assessment to identify gaps and misconceptions in order to inform their planning. Teachers then use their professional judgements to make overall judgements taking account of all available evidence.