History

Subject Leaders - Miss James and Mrs Wilkinson.

Our governors, support staff and teachers met together to look at our curriculum progression. This was a part of our Curriculum Review. To view the progression document, please follow the link: History Progression

At Woodcote, we strongly believe that it is vital that all of our children are able gain a coherent understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.

Intent:

At Woodcote, we understand that the History curriculum and programme of study should engage and inspire pupil’s curiosity to broaden their understanding of the past. Within our teaching at Woodcote, we ensure that all of our children across the school have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills.

We have created a progression document that enables all children to develop historical knowledge and skills. Moving forwards, to continue to support the children’s developing understanding, this will be enhanced to include a progression of subject specific vocabulary. At Woodcote, we believe in developing the following areas:

• Chronological Understanding
• Historical Enquiry Skills
• Historical Interpretation
• Organisation and Communication of ideas and research
• Understanding of events, people and changes
• Local, Regional, International Historical Understanding

Within these headings, we incorporate the knowledge and skills from the National curriculum and The Early Years Framework that allow our teachers to plan, assess and evaluate their sequence of learning. At Woodcote we believe that it is important that children are able to develop the skills highlighted within our progression document. Therefore, the subject leaders as well as our teachers have ensured that our long term plan allows these skills to be revisited and further developed.

Implementation:

At Woodcote, the teaching of History is taught on a half term basis on a specific unit, alternating with Geography. Within our History, we use a variety of teaching approaches to ensure that the children develop their historical understanding of knowledge, as well as creating a positive and stimulating environment for our children. Our linked English units are used to deepen the children’s passion for the subject and inspire them to want to learn more.  

This year, to further strengthen History within Woodcote, we have decided to implement ‘Rising Stars’. The reason why we have decided to adopt this scheme is that our children will benefit from the implementation of the clear structure, building upon prior learning and allowing our children to develop the key knowledge and skills highlighted within the National Curriculum. Teaching staff use the scheme as a starting point, looking at the needs of children within their class and planning teaching activities, ensuring that children can access the learning and build upon prior knowledge. Differing levels of support, challenge, resources or method of recording are used, so that all children across school can continue to access the learning and deepen their understanding of the History curriculum.

Impact:

History is a fundamental part of a child’s life, therefore it is vital that subject leads constantly monitor and assess the impact of our History Curriculum.

At Woodcote, the following will be carried out in class:

• Marking Written pieces of work
• Informal observations of children’s discussions.
• Planning alongside the progression document.
• Confidently adapt and implement plans from the Rising Star Scheme

To ensure that our History curriculum is reaching its full potential, the subject leads will also implement the following:

• Staff Audits
• Discussions with Class Teachers
• Learning Walks of Teaching and how history is displayed throughout the classroom
• Book scrutiny to allow a deeper focus of class work.
• Staff meeting, where History is discussed and reflected upon.

At the end of each unit, the children are teacher assessed against the progression document with a best fit approach, whether each child is working below, at or exceeding expectations. The assessment includes opportunities to record key areas of development, as well as noting where the children have been able to shine.  This information is shared with the History Leads and with the next year’s class teacher, enabling them to build upon prior knowledge by having a clearer picture of the children’s strengths and areas for development. 

These methods will ensure that we are teaching alongside the curriculum objectives, as well as ensuring the scheme we follow allows the children to develop and retain key knowledge and skills that they have learnt. This prepares children for the transition into the next year group, including their move to Key Stage 3 and the next stage of their learning journey. We aim to inspire a love of History and a desire to deepen their understanding.