History
History Intent
Alma Park’s History curriculum begins in EYFS. This foundation in History begins with the children’s understanding of the world by beginning to make sense of their own life-story and their family’s history. Children in EYFS begin this journey using chronology, which is embedded throughout their learning of history as they progress through the school. The National Curriculum provides the skill and knowledge progression foundations that are then built on to provide a purposeful progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary. This ensures that the National Curriculum end points are met.
Our pupils are given a breadth of experience to develop their understanding of themselves as individuals within their community and as members of a wider global community. Pupils build on their knowledge and skills in different areas of History, such as chronology, historical interpretation and historical enquiry. This ensures they understand how significant events from the past have shaped their world today.
The History curriculum gives pupils life skills to identify the causes and effects of these significant events; the specific elements of the events that show continuity and change; the opportunity to interpret this knowledge from a variety of sources. Alma Park follows the National Curriculum and ensures progression by teaching specific historical skills through carefully identified themes and key questioning. As a UNICEF Rights Respecting School History is delivered in a safe and inspiring environment which nurtures children’s talents, allowing them to thrive so that when they leave Alma Park they are responsible, active citizens. History at Alma Park promotes and encourages sustainability in various ways including: identifying events from the past that have affected their world today and what lessons could be learnt from these to ensure a positive impact on future generations. Diversity is embraced by giving opportunities to study a range of important people and events in history and the impact this has had locally, nationally and globally. Resources and the use of technology are adapted when necessary to ensure SEND and disadvantaged pupils can access all aspects of the same curriculum.
At Alma Park we are always looking for opportunities to develop our curriculum and this involves seeking enrichment activities for our pupils using local community links.
History Implementation
Learning is the core purpose of our school and is central to everything that happens.
In Nursery and Reception, we follow the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage document. This foundation in History comes under the Early Learning Goal ‘Understanding the World’ - Past and Present. This is split into 4 objectives: Talk about members of their immediate family and community; Name and describe people who are familiar to them; Comment on images of familiar situations in the past and Compare and contrast characters from stories including figures from the past.
In KS1 and KS2 the History curriculum covers all the requirements of the 2014 National Curriculum. At Alma Park, the National Curriculum has been refined to reflect the communities the children belong to. It is relevant, diverse and engaging. For example, children will study important figures in History such as Pablo Fanque, Sunny Lowry and Emmeline Pankhurst. SEND and socially disadvantaged pupils can access the History curriculum by adapted resources and support.
History is delivered in discreet lessons. Long term plans, knowledge progression and skills progression documents form the foundation of the subjects. From these, medium term plans are created. Individual lesson plans are created by class teachers, these lesson plans take their objectives from the medium term plans. Lessons are structured to minimise cognitive overload, this is done by ensuring prior knowledge is secure and that lessons are not overloaded with new knowledge. Lessons are completed in purple ‘Topic’ books that are shared with the Geography topics.
The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an opportunity for active learning for all our pupils. These can be used to gain an understanding of how they, their school and their community has changed over time.
As well as our school based learning, we ensure learning is supported by relevant educational visits and visitors such as Manchester Museum.
Our commitment to being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School is shown through our History curriculum. For example, Article 8, ‘Governments must respect every child’s right to a name, nationality and family ties.’