Pupils at St John Fisher will leave KS2 as more established historians with a wide and detailed chronologically secure knowledge, sharper methods of enquiry and communication and a deeper understanding of more historic complex issues. They will have developed an historical perspective with the ability to integrate history’s key concepts. They will have a greater independence in applying these qualities and skills.
 

The content of the history curriculum is delivered chronologically with ancient and modern running parallel with each other.

During KS1 children gain a strong sense of the past through their study of pre-history. The Ancient Ages provides a sharp contrast to modern living and makes comparing and historical interpretation easier.  The children gain an understanding of the necessity for social interdependency as they learn about the coming together of the first known civilisation. This is further developed during the KS2 programme of study where they continue to explore the characteristics and chronology of ancient civilisations and their impact on modern society. 
 

Alongside this, in EYFS and KS1, the children are introduced to the modern historical concepts of sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law, through stories of early kings and queens. Again, this is explored and developed throughout KS2 as they learn about the constant power shifts between the people, the monarchy and the church and the building of empires.
 

Across the curriculum in EYFS, KS1 and KS2, children are taught about the lives and successes of significant individuals in the past, who have contributed to national and international achievements and impacted on British culture. These include scientists, musicians, explorers and artists.

Our children are provided with a knowledge organiser per topic with key events, timelines, vocabulary definition etc that allows the children to revise and retain the most key information from that topic. The children bring these knowledge organisers with them and are tested on them each lesson. This repetition as well as repetition of particular topics and building on their prior learning can help with children retaining the key information.
 

The key historical skills: chronology, historical enquiry and historical interpretation are the focus of each history lesson. Whereby the children focus on timelines and where the period of history they are learning about ‘fits in’ with other topics they have previously covered, or they look at and analyse a range of primary and secondary sources, the children have a skill focus they will be working on within a lesson.

Our history curriculum is designed so that learning is cumulative. Layer upon layer of knowledge is built up to ensure children gain sufficient cultural capital to underpin and support the future retention of learning in KS3.

History Curriculum Overview

History Lesson Overview

Example Knowledge Organiser