Rufford Park Primary School

History

Mrs Amos is the current History Lead

Our Vision

Throughout our school, pupils have excitement and a keen interest in History and they look forward to future lessons. They are keen to express their enthusiasm for History and are often inspired to conduct their own research at home. Evidence of work is presented to high standard in their topic folders, through cross-curricular links and, at certain times, through their home projects

At Rufford Park, the teaching of history will enable children to develop a secure chronological narrative of the history of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.

Our History curriculum ensures that all children have secure knowledge and understanding of the history of the United Kingdom with children understanding how people’s lives have shaped the nation.

Children will also gain an understanding of how Britain has influenced and has been influenced by the wider world.

Furthermore, children will gain knowledge and understanding of significant aspects of the history of the wider world. They will learn about the nature of ancient civilisations, the expansion and dissolution of empires and about characteristic features of past non-European societies.

Children will also learn about the achievements and follies of mankind.

By using the substantive concepts of Chronology, Significant People, Power & Rule, Technological Advances and Legacy, there is a clear narrative arc to our designed curriculum.

Through the quality teaching of History, children will develop their understanding of historical vocabulary and abstract terms. Children will be taught how to carry out historical enquiries and how to frame historical valid questions. They will understand how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims. Children will be taught to make connections and draw contrasts between historical periods. They will analyse trends and use their literacy skills to create their own structured accounts.

Throughout the teaching of History at RPPS, children will be asked to recognise how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed. Children will gain historical perspective and will be confident in understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history.

Within History, children will use high quality fiction and non-fiction texts to learn about key features of events and about the lives of people living in different periods.

First-hand learning experiences such as topic boxes and educational visits, along with themed visitors, will be used to enrich children’s learning of history and promote awe and wonder. Where possible, the local area and our local community will be used as a source to find out about the past.

Overall, through the teaching and learning of History, children will develop compassion and respect for the lives of those living in the past.

INTENT

We have designed our History curriculum so that our learners:

Foster an enthusiasm and curiosity about history and learning about the past through an engaging and varied curriculum; developing skills and understanding which can be applied to any area of history
Are taught skills and concepts progressively across the school in line with the National Curriculum, focusing particularly on five main substantive concepts
Develop a secure sense of chronology; acquiring an understanding of time, events and people through the passing of time
Use research skills to pose questions and investigate the past by making inferences and drawing conclusions.
Understand how events have occurred concurrently in different locations worldwide in order to compare and contrast
Study a variety of significant historical figures and events that underpin the diversity of Britain and the wider world.

Engage with visitors to Rufford Park, who will inspire them to consider history-related careers in the future – such as archaeologist Dr Diane Davies (the UK’s foremost expert on the Ancient Maya), local historian Carlo Harrison (archivist for the Aireborough Historical Society) and historical theatre groups such as Matthew Bellwood (SomeStories).

IMPLEMENTATION

At Rufford park, our History curriculum is taught:

So that lessons are appropriately pitched and challenging and are designed to inspire and support learning, providing opportunities to explore the past
Through carefully sequenced lessons that demonstrate progression building upon prior knowledge and enabling children to apply it to new learning
To allow children to make links across the curriculum through topic based learning
Using timelines so that chronology is embedded and children understand how different periods of history link together
By ensuring that key vocabulary is incorporated alongside different sources of evidence – both primary and secondary – to help bring history to life within the classroom
Through historical visits and activities where children are able to develop a greater understanding of the past in their local area and across the world

We also celebrate significant nationwide events as a school community. For the hundredth anniversary of the end of World War 1, every class visited our historic Yeadon Town Hall to read the names of the local men who fought in the conflict. Many of the children recognised their own surnames.

IMPACT

The impact of the History curriculum at Rufford Park Primary can be seen through:

Clear evidence that our children have shown progress and attainment in line with the National Curriculum
Our children demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject and can talk with confidence about history
Our children demonstrate an understanding of a range of historical vocabulary which can be applied confidently
As historians, our children can use their skills to pose questions, evaluate evidence and draw conclusions

The impact of our history curriculum is that our learners are equipped with the historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the secondary school curriculum.