History
At Woodloes Primary School, History is taught through the Cornerstones Curriculum and is designed to provide a well-sequenced and coherent subject scheme that develops pupils’ historical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines over time. The curriculum follows the National Curriculum programmes of study and presents a rich and diverse account of British and world history, enabling pupils to understand how the past has shaped the present.
Key historical aspects and concepts, including chronology, cause and effect, similarity and difference, significance and hierarchy, are explicitly taught and revisited throughout all History projects. These concepts are developed cumulatively to support pupils in making meaningful connections across historical periods. Disciplinary knowledge is central to the curriculum, with all projects developing historical enquiry skills through the use of evidence and historically valid questions.
In Key Stage 1, History projects build on pupils’ own experiences and events within living memory. Pupils learn about significant people, events and places, including those in their local area, developing an early understanding of change over time, significance and power in preparation for more complex historical learning.
In Key Stage 2, pupils develop a secure chronological understanding of British History from prehistoric Britain to 1066 before extending their learning to ancient and world civilisations. As pupils progress into Upper Key Stage 2, they engage with increasingly complex historical themes, including power, enslavement, colonialism and conflict, deepening their critical understanding of the past and its legacy.
History projects are taught in the autumn and summer terms, with opportunities to revisit historical concepts through selected geography projects in the spring term. Where appropriate, meaningful connections are made with other subjects to enhance understanding and cultural awareness. Through the Cornerstones Curriculum, pupils leave primary school with a secure sense of chronology, strong historical skills and a coherent understanding of History.