History at Brightwalton C of E Primary School

Our Vision

At Brightwalton, History inspires a curiosity about the past and how it shapes the world we live in today. We want our children to understand how people, events and societies have changed over time, and how these changes continue to influence their lives.

We begin with our children’s own experiences and local area, before developing a deeper understanding of British and world history, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections across time and place.

Intent: What We Want for Our Children

Our History curriculum ensures that all pupils:

• Develop a secure chronological understanding of the past

• Understand significant events, people and societies in Britain and the wider world

• Recognise how and why change happens over time

• Learn to think critically, ask questions and evaluate evidence

Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on prior knowledge over time, enabling them to know more and remember more. Concepts are taught in small, manageable steps, ensuring clarity and depth for all learners.

Our curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, supporting them to develop independence, perspective and judgement as historians.

Implementation: How We Teach History

History is taught through a well-structured, enquiry-led curriculum, where pupils develop both knowledge and historical thinking progressively.

Developing as Historians

Pupils build key historical skills over time:

• Understanding chronology – placing events in order and understanding time

• Using historical sources – asking questions and interpreting evidence

• Explaining and hypothesising – considering why events happened

• Identifying similarities and differences – comparing periods and societies

• Presenting ideas – communicating historical understanding

What Learning Looks Like

• Lessons are built around enquiry questions to promote curiosity and thinking

• Pupils use a range of sources including artefacts, texts, images and visits

• Learning includes discussion, writing, drama and practical activities

• Trips, workshops and local studies bring history to life

Knowledge and Skills

Our curriculum balances:

• Substantive knowledge (what pupils know):

  • Key historical events

  • Significant people

  • Civilisations and societies

  • Concepts such as change, continuity, cause and consequence

• Disciplinary knowledge (how pupils think):

  • Analysing sources

  • Asking questions

  • Evaluating evidence

  • Developing perspective and judgement

Supporting All Learners

All pupils access the same ambitious curriculum. Teachers support this through:

• Clear modelling and explanation

• Breaking learning into small, structured steps

• Pre-teaching key vocabulary

• Use of visual sources and artefacts

• Ongoing assessment to identify misconceptions

Pupils are supported to move from guided learning to independence, applying their knowledge confidently.

Progression: How Learning Builds Over Time

EYFS

• Explore their own lives and immediate environment

• Talk about past and present events

• Begin to recognise similarities and differences

Key Stage 1

• Learn about changes within living memory

• Study significant individuals and events

• Begin to place events in chronological order

Lower Key Stage 2

• Study ancient civilisations and early societies

• Develop understanding of cause and consequence

• Use sources to suggest explanations

Upper Key Stage 2

• Study British history and global civilisations in depth

• Understand connections across time

• Analyse and evaluate historical evidence and interpretations

Impact: What Pupils Achieve

By the end of Year 6, pupils will:

• Have a secure chronological understanding of history

• Be able to explain and analyse historical events and changes

• Use evidence confidently to support their ideas

• Understand different perspectives and interpretations

• Apply their knowledge independently across contexts

Pupils develop as thoughtful, informed and reflective historians, able to make connections between the past and present.

Why History Matters

History helps our children to:

• Understand how the world has developed

• Recognise diversity in people, societies and beliefs

• Reflect on their own identity and place in the world

• Learn from the challenges and achievements of the past

Through History, our vision of children as a “Shining Light” is realised—they are equipped with the knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.