Garland Junior School

We place significant focus into enriching the children's learning of History.  It can be hard for us to imagine what life may have been like during other periods of time. We have fostered a close relationship with Reading Museum, which we visit both virtually and in person. In addition to this, each year group has the opportunity to handle genuine artefacts from the periods of History they are studying through the Museum History boxes brought into school each half term. We strive to bring History to life through visitors and trips to Historic venues. In particular, our Year 4 residential to Ufton Court allows our children the opportunity to immerse themselves into the lives of Vikings during the many battles that took place around Reading. 

Statement of Curriculum Intent for History

The history curriculum at Garland Junior School supports our vision of ‘We learn, we care, we grow, we succeed’ by providing children with opportunities to:  

• build up a picture of the past so that they can increase their understanding of how the world has developed and changed 

• empathise with children from different ‘worlds’ to themselves 

• be curious about how people lived in other time periods, recognising how these people continue to influence us today 

• use the vocabulary needed to respond in discussions and debates around the chosen time period 

• gain knowledge and experiences of the wider world, and historical events outside of their everyday experience 

• use critical thinking in looking at sources of history and their reliability for different aspects of the periods studied 

The structure of our curriculum enables the children to demonstrate a chronological understanding of British History, and how British history relates to key eras of global history, making comparisons between these different periods of time, and their impact on us today.  

Provision of this curriculum aims to increase children’s ‘cultural capital’, giving particular consideration to children who may have had limited past experience, through cross curricular links and enrichment opportunities: trips, experience days, use of artefacts, videos and discussions around personal/family experiences. These opportunities support the children in becoming more immersed within the historical periods studied.  

The skills that are developed within our curriculum, related to chronological understanding, the depth of historical knowledge, interpreting history, making enquiries about the past, and communicating understanding, show progression throughout the school.