History
Welcome to the History page!
What is History?
History itself, is a story that is always unfolding, always subject to inquiry and ripe for questioning.
Jon Meacham
We are not makers of history. We are made by history.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana
History at Birkdale Primary School
Our History curriculum is designed to ignite children's curiosity about the past. We are determined that alongside historical knowledge there will be a high focus on the development of specific historical skills through discrete History lessons to ensure children know more and remember more.
The National Curriculum states that History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of continuity and change , the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. We want children to learn about, and understand the past, to make connections with how we live now.
We have used the Chris Quigley knowledge webs and various websites such as www. keystagehistory.co.uk and www.history.com to help inform and develop our long term plan and work on the principle that the curriculum needs a ‘forwards and backwards’ approach. This gives children the opportunity to build on previously learnt knowledge and revisit concepts and understanding.
By the end of each milestone (Year 1/Year 2, Year 3/Year 4, Year 5/Year 6), the goal is for children to display sustained mastery, or for some children a greater depth of understanding.
EYFS
Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members… they know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among families, communities and traditions. Good Early Years practice is based upon an integrated, child-centred curriculum. Several areas of learning are important for laying the foundations for developing solid historical enquiry skills throughout a child's primary school education and beyond.
KEY STAGE 1 AND 2
We are living in an increasingly interconnected and complex world were questioning sources, intentions and contexts with a critical, analytical mind is vital. With this in mind throughout key stage 1 and 2 we learn about key historical periods, people and events through the prism of developing sophisticated historical enquiry skills and trying to develop children's knowledge and skills pertaining to key concepts set out below.
Investigating and interpreting the past
This concept involves recognising that our understanding of the past comes from an interpretation of the available evidence | Building an overview of world history
This concept involves an appreciation of the characteristic features of the past and that these features are similar and different across time periods, and an understanding that life is different for different sections of society. | Understand chronology
This concept involves an understanding of how to chart the passing of time and how some aspects of history happened at similar times in different places | Communicate historically
This concept involves using historical vocabulary and techniques to convey information about the past. |
Pupil Voice
'I enjoy learning how Britain has changed over time.'
'An historian needs to be inquisitive.'
'History is important to learn about where we have come from.'
'History shows we can make changes for the better, we can be better, like not letting women vote, that was unfair, we know that now.'
Examples of Children's work and Displays
work in progress..
History Policy
Subject Overview
History Key Vocabulary