Foundation Subjects

History

History

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Intent: At Christ the Saviour, we want to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past and give them an understanding of how relevant history is to their lives in a global world. Pupils will gain a secure chronological knowledge of local, British and world history. We want them to be able to ask questions about the past, to experience and interact with objects and locations of historical significance, evaluating sources and forming their own understanding of the story of history.

EYFS Implementation

In the EYFS, storytelling and sequencing activities begin to build pupils’ understanding of narrative and pupils are encouraged to ask and answer questions about the world around them. Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. This lays a secure foundation for the development of historical skills in later key stages.

KS1 Implementation

At KS1, pupils study the more recent past, looking at the themes of Toys and Transport and how their local area, Ealing, has changed over time. Significant people, events and places from the more distant past are also studied, including the Great Fire of London, Florence Nightingale and Remembrance Day. Pupils start to ask and answer questions about the past by looking at written sources, pictures and objects and explore similarities and differences between the present and the past.

KS2 Implementation

At KS2, pupils begin a chronological study of history, which sweeps them through thousands of years of history. From the building of Stonehenge in Prehistoric Britain, through the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Vikings and the Mayan Civilisation, pupils are taken on a journey of historical enquiry and investigation, ending at 1066 in Year 5. In Year 6, pupils sharpen their chronological knowledge and historical skills of enquiry and interpretation by studying more recent historical events. Pupils focus on local history through studying Ealing during the Second World War, and consider the significance of the arrival of the Empire Windrush as a turning point in British history.

Our teaching of history is enriched with visits to places of historical significance, both locally and further afield, including the local war memorial and Gunnersbury Park in KS1 and visits to the British Museum and RAF Hendon in KS2. Opportunities such as the Viking workshops allow pupils to interact with artefacts and experience history first hand and special history days in school, such as Greek Day and Egyptian day, are hugely popular and foster curiosity and a love of history.