History 

The aims of the History Curriculum at Walsgrave Academy are:

• To inspire children’s curiosity about the past and its legacy
• To develop children’s knowledge of local history, British history and world history
• To develop children’s historical skills including understanding chronology, interpreting historical sources and making comparisons within and across historical periods
• To develop children’s ability to reflect on the diversity of human societies over time and to consider the impact of the past on lives today.

Delivering the History Curriculum at Walsgrave Academy:

In Early Years, the foundations of History are taught holistically, with knowledge and skills woven into engaging topics that have been developed systematically to ensure progression. Children develop knowledge about people and events in the past and learn to identify similarities and differences between the past and now. Children find out from the past from sources including books and photographs.

In Key Stage 1, History is taught through termly themes with a half-term’s history focus. Children learn about the history of their school, the local area and seaside holidays in the past. Children’s knowledge builds progressively to include significant events such as the Great Fire of London and the development of flight. They begin to use historical skills including understanding chronology, using historical sources and making comparisons across historical periods.

In Key Stage 2, History is taught through six in-depth themes, three in lower Key Stage 2 and three in upper Key Stage 2. Children learn about key aspects of British history including life in Roman, Tudor and 20th Century Britain. In addition, they learn about the legacy of the Ancient Greeks and early Islamic civilization. Children develop their historical skills through using and interpreting historical sources, making comparisons within and across historical periods and explaining historical reasons, alongside building their understanding of chronology.