History

For Humanities we are following the Opening Worlds Curriculum in KS2. This is a knowledge-rich programme for teaching history and geography in Years 3 to 6. The programme readily lends itself to cross curricular planning and has been developed by Christine Counsell and Steve Mastin, two leading curriculum minds in the UK.

Opening Worlds does more than merely meet the requirements of the National Curriculum for history and geography. Sequencing, and the inter-linking nature of both subjects, ensure that children are able to develop a rich, secure vocabulary by a careful system of 'revisiting' and practice.

Opening Worlds covers a range of cultural, historical and ethical backgrounds and offers purposeful and meaningful experiences to apply, share and develop this knowledge . Our diverse, culturally rich, wide-scoping and rigorous/coherent curriculum is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values in a rigorous and coherent way. Explicit links to story telling and creativity are made to ensure children to engage and enthuse learners. Many enhancement and enrichment activities are used throughout the curriculum to engage learners and create purposeful, high leverage outcomes that give children the opportunity to use and apply their developing knowledge and skills. Our aim is to create an environment that prompts curiosity, critical thinking and allows learners to connect strands of learning across all aspects of the curriculum.

For further information, please see the Opening Worlds Rationale below or visit their website here.

Humanities Overview

Updated: 23/05/2023 60 KB

Opening Worlds Rationale

Updated: 23/05/2023 600 KB

SMSC in History

Updated: 03/05/2024 146 KB

History Intent:

'The more you know about the past, the better you are prepared for the future'

Theodore Roosevelt

History Intent

Updated: 04/04/2024 67 KB

Top Tips to Help your Child Become a Brilliant Historian

Why not put your cooking skills to the test and serve up a slice of history? You could try to prepare and sample a traditional recipe from the past or re-create a banquet with several course!

Visit the library and choose books about a period, such as World War One or Two, or a significant individual.

Try collecting some oral history by interviewing family members about their school days and the toys they played with. You can then identify the similarities and differences by comparing them with your child's experiences today.

Try delving into the past through games. As a family, play games that children would have played in the past, for example marbles, hopscotch or Battleships.

Become researchers and use books, or online resources, to conduct research into significant individuals or periods of time.

When you’ve completed your research, you can then use junk modelling to build a famous historical object, building or monument, e.g., a Roman Shield or an Egyptian Pyramid.

Research and make a timeline of an inspiring person from history.
Watch age-appropriate historical films or TV programs like Horrible Histories. Shows like this can hook children into learning about the past and can prompt some fascinating discussions.