Garland Junior School

 Statement of Curriculum Intent

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. History enables children to understand their place in the world, and their connections between each other. Children gain an understanding of different ways of life, both past and present, thereby enhancing their perception and judgement of the world. What they explore through history can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values. Students of history learn to think critically, to analyse, to discuss and to contemplate.

We have fostered a close relationship with Reading Museum, which we visit both virtually and in person, particularly in KS2. 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 which support their understanding and love of the subject. We have also established links to the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) through our GRT children, as we have collaborated with them in their newly-curated GRT gallery - The Long Road. Our children were involved in discussions with MERL prior to the gallery being created and have since visited it. MERL have visited us for GRT History Month. 

Our History curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum and is underpinned by our federation values and vision.

Curriculum Implementation

At BCF, the History Curriculum is designed to ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm about the past.  Topics are informed by the national curriculum and are sensitive to children’s interests, as well as the context of the local area. It is a knowledge rich curriculum, which also strives to develop questioning skills and critical thinking.

Our History Curriculum strives to inspire pupils to develop an awareness of the past and to understand key concepts. Children will be taught where the people or events they study fit into a chronological framework. Key knowledge is reviewed and revisited regularly to ensure key facts and concepts move into the children’s long-term memory. There is a clear focus on historical vocabulary, which the children build upon year on year.

We have designed our curriculum to ensure appropriate diversity in the significant figures that the children learn about. The children are encouraged to ask and answer questions, and utilise the resources and stories shown to them to demonstrate that they know and understand the most significant events. They will begin to look at how we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.

The children have 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.

Curriculum Impact

By the time the children leave BCF the children will have:

• Developed an awareness of the past and can use vocabulary relating to the passing of time
• Understand where the events and significant people they have studied fit into chronology
• Had the opportunity to think critically, ask questions and begin to analyse historical evidence
• Have begun to develop a passion for history, which develops their sense of curiosity about the past and their understanding of how and why people interpret the past in different ways.

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.