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History

History Intent:

At Bottesford Schools Federation, we want children to develop a genuine curiosity about the past and an understanding of how history has shaped the world in which we live. Our History curriculum enables pupils to develop a secure chronological understanding of significant people, events and periods, whilst making meaningful connections between the past and the present. Through carefully planned learning experiences, children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate evidence, form opinions and challenge ideas.

Our History curriculum reflects our federation vision to “We RISE together”:

  • Respect – valuing the people, cultures, beliefs and experiences that have shaped our world.
  • Integrity – understanding different perspectives, considering evidence carefully and recognising our responsibilities as citizens.
  • Strive – embracing the challenges of historical enquiry, developing our knowledge and asking thoughtful questions about the past.
  • Empowered – using our understanding of history to think critically, make informed judgements and recognise how the past influences our lives and communities today.

Our curriculum provides opportunities for children to explore their own local history alongside the history of Britain and the wider world. We aim to develop confident historians who can use evidence thoughtfully, recognise that interpretations of the past can differ and understand how and why things have changed over time.

We want our pupils to understand that history is not simply a collection of dates and facts. Through exploring the experiences of people from different periods and communities, children develop empathy, perspective and an understanding of how the decisions and actions of people in the past have influenced our lives today.

Across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, children develop the disciplinary skills needed to think and work like historians, including:

  • Chronological understanding and sequencing
  • Historical enquiry and questioning
  • Using sources and artefacts as evidence
  • Cause and consequence
  • Change and continuity
  • Similarity and difference
  • Historical significance
  • Interpretation and perspective
  • Constructing and communicating accounts of the past

A Bottesford Federation Historian will:

  • Show Respect for people, cultures, beliefs and experiences from the past.
  • Develop a secure chronological understanding and make connections between the past and the present.
  • Strive to ask questions, investigate evidence and deepen their historical knowledge.
  • Use sources and evidence with Integrity, recognising that historical interpretations can differ.
  • Be Empowered to form informed opinions, think critically and make reasoned judgements.
  • Understand key historical concepts including cause and consequence, change and continuity, similarity and difference and significance.
  • Consider different perspectives and recognise how the actions and decisions of people in the past have shaped the world today.
  • Communicate their historical understanding clearly and confidently.
  • Develop a genuine curiosity about the past and an enthusiasm to continue learning about the world around them.

Our History Curriculum

History is taught from Year 1 through to Year 6, with learning carefully sequenced to develop children's knowledge, vocabulary and historical skills over time. Our curriculum meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and is supported by high-quality resources, including the Rising Stars scheme of work in Key Stage 2.

We carefully revisit and build upon prior learning, with chronology providing an important framework for pupils to understand where people, events and periods sit within the wider story of Britain and the world.

In Key Stage 1, children develop their understanding of the past through topics linked to their own lives, families, local area, significant people and events. They begin to use historical sources and artefacts, ask and answer questions, and recognise similarities, differences and changes over time. Local history is brought to life through links with places of historical interest, including North Lincolnshire Museum and Normanby Hall, alongside immersive and project-based learning experiences.

In Key Stage 2, children build on this foundation to develop a deeper and more coherent understanding of Britain's past and the wider world. They explore significant periods, people and events whilst developing increasingly sophisticated historical enquiry and analytical skills.

Throughout Key Stage 2, Golden Threads provide a clear progression of substantive concepts across different historical periods. These are revisited and developed over time, helping pupils to make connections between topics and build an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the past.

Our History lessons use a range of approaches to make learning active, engaging and memorable, including:

  • Historical artefacts and sources
  • Historical investigations and enquiry
  • Role play and drama
  • Research and independent learning
  • Immersive and experiential activities
  • Timelines and chronological activities
  • Questioning, discussion and debate
  • Opportunities to construct and communicate historical interpretations

We place a strong emphasis on pupils thinking like historians. Children learn to investigate historically valid questions, consider different possibilities, interpret sources and use evidence to make reasoned inferences and conclusions. As they progress through the school, they become increasingly confident in explaining and communicating their historical understanding.

Local History

Understanding the history of our local area is an important part of our curriculum. Children explore how the places and communities around them have changed over time and develop a sense of connection with their local heritage.

Through visits, visitors, artefacts and links with places of historical interest, pupils develop an understanding of their community and its place within the wider history of Britain.