History

Intent

At Old Hill Primary School, our history curriculum aims to develop pupils’ curiosity about the past and help them understand how historical events and individuals have shaped the world we live in today.

Through the study of history, pupils develop a strong sense of chronology and gain knowledge of significant events, people and civilisations. The curriculum enables pupils to explore themes such as change and continuity, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and historical significance.

Our history curriculum is designed to help pupils think like historians. They learn to ask questions about the past, examine historical sources and develop their own interpretations of historical events.

The curriculum also reflects our local context. Pupils study aspects of local history, including the impact of the Industrial Revolution and mining on Old Hill and the surrounding area, helping them understand the heritage of their community.

Implementation

History is taught through carefully planned enquiry questions that encourage pupils to investigate the past and develop their understanding over time.

Lessons focus on developing key historical skills, including:

• interpreting primary and secondary sources
• understanding chronology and timelines
• analysing cause and consequence
• comparing similarities and differences between historical periods
• evaluating historical interpretations

Teachers ensure that knowledge is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on prior learning as they move through the school. Historical vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to support pupils in explaining their ideas clearly.

The curriculum is organised so that pupils develop increasing historical understanding as they progress through the school. For example, pupils begin by exploring changes within living memory before moving on to study ancient civilisations, significant historical periods and global societies.

Impact

• The impact of our history curriculum is measured through the knowledge and understanding pupils develop over time, alongside their ability to think and work as historians.

  At Old Hill Primary School, pupils’ learning in history is assessed through four key areas: knowledge, skills, vocabulary and understanding.

  Pupils demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

  Knowledge – what pupils remember

  • Pupils recall key historical facts, events and dates studied across each unit
  • They build a secure chronological understanding of periods such as Ancient Egypt, Roman Britain and World War II
  • They can make links between different periods of history studied throughout the curriculum

  Skills – what pupils can do

  • Pupils ask and answer historical questions using evidence
  • They interpret and evaluate a range of sources
  • They explain causes and consequences of historical events with increasing depth as they move through the school

  Vocabulary – subject-specific language

  • Pupils use precise historical vocabulary when discussing and writing about the past
  • They understand and apply key terms such as civilisation, empire, invasion, and significance
  • Vocabulary is revisited and embedded across units to support long-term learning

  Understanding – how ideas connect

  • Pupils compare different societies and time periods, identifying similarities and differences
  • They make connections between historical events and understand how the past has shaped the present
  • They develop increasingly sophisticated explanations and historical reasoning

  As pupils progress from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, their knowledge becomes more secure and their thinking more complex. This ensures that by the end of Year 6, pupils leave Old Hill as confident historians who can recall, explain, analyse and make connections across the curriculum.

Key Aims:

• Develop chronological knowledge and understanding.
• Build historical enquiry and critical thinking skills.
• Foster appreciation of diversity and cultural heritage.
• Inspire curiosity and a lifelong interest in history.
• Encourage pupils to draw connections between past and present to inform their future roles in society.

 

History Curriculum Overview

Our history curriculum is organised through a sequence of enquiry questions which allow pupils to explore important historical themes and civilisations.

For example:

• Year 1 pupils begin by exploring changes within living memory through topics such as family history and the development of transport.

• In Key Stage 2, pupils study ancient civilisations including Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Maya.

• Pupils also learn about key historical periods such as the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and the Industrial Revolution.

A full overview of the history curriculum across each year group can be found below.

history offer.pdf

 

 

Enrichment Opportunities

At Old Hill Primary School we believe that first-hand experiences help bring history to life and deepen pupils’ understanding of the past.

Pupils take part in a range of enrichment opportunities which support their historical learning, including educational visits, workshops and themed days.

Examples include:

• Year 6 visit to the World War II museum in Bewdley, where pupils explore artefacts and experiences from wartime Britain.
• Year 5 Anglo-Saxon workshop, allowing pupils to experience aspects of Anglo-Saxon life and culture.
• Year 4 Roman Day, where pupils investigate Roman life and the impact of the Roman Empire on Britain.

These experiences help pupils develop a deeper understanding of historical periods and enable them to connect their classroom learning with real historical evidence and places.