Aims of the History curriculum at St Laurence’s:

At St Laurence’s, we aim for our children to learn about the relevance of the past and how that has impacted their lives today. By the time children leave this school, we aim for our children to:

• Know about key periods of local, British and world history.
• Develop understanding of core historical skills and concepts including chronology, enquiry and comparison.
• Understand the importance of historical evidence and know how to use this to support historical enquiry.
• To inspire children’s curiosity to know more about the past and to ask perceptive questions.

Delivery of History at St Laurences:

Historical knowledge and skills are core components of our curriculum, and we approach them through engaging and relevant topics that span across all year groups. The teaching of history is not just about memorizing dates and facts; it's about developing a deep understanding of the past, fostering critical thinking skills, and encouraging a love for learning. Here's a brief overview of how we achieve this:

Enquiry-Based Learning:

Each historical topic is centered around a compelling enquiry question. These questions are designed to stimulate curiosity and encourage children to explore historical concepts. Throughout the topic, children engage in various activities and research to find answers to these questions.

Progressive Learning:

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that children’s historical knowledge and skills progress as they move through the school. They build upon their previous learning, layering new information and concepts onto their existing understanding. This approach allows for a deeper and more comprehensive grasp of history.

Celebrating New Learning:

At the end of each historical topic, children are encouraged to share their understanding by answering the initial enquiry question. This is a moment of pride and accomplishment as they showcase what they have learned. It also provides an opportunity for them to celebrate their new knowledge and insights.

Historical Themes:

All our topics have historical themes attached to them. This not only helps children connect with the material but also enables them to develop a fundamental understanding of Britain's rich history and its place in the broader context of the world's history.

We believe that by exploring history through this dynamic approach, your children will not only gain a solid foundation in historical knowledge and skills but will also develop a lifelong passion for understanding the past. We encourage you to engage with your children in discussions about what they're learning and perhaps even embark on historical journeys of discovery together.

If you have any questions or need further information about our history curriculum, please feel free to contact the History lead teacher via the school office.

Mrs. Sheehan

History Lead