Curriculum Intent

At Dorridge, we follow Kapow Primary’s history scheme of work. We aim to inspire pupils to be curious and creative thinkers who develop a complex knowledge of local and national history and the history of the wider world. We want pupils to develop the confidence to think critically, ask questions, and be able to explain and analyse historical evidence.

Through fun, creative and engaging lessons, we aim to build an awareness of significant events and individuals in global, British and local history and recognise how things have changed over time. History supports children to appreciate the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and the relationships between different groups. Studying history allows children to appreciate the many reasons why people may behave in the way they do, supporting children to develop empathy for others while providing an opportunity to learn from mankind’s past mistakes. Our history scheme aims to support pupils in building their understanding of chronology in each year group, making connections over periods of time and developing a chronologically secure knowledge of history. We hope to develop pupils’ understanding of how historians study the past and construct accounts and the skills to carry out their own historical enquiries.

We see history as not just facts and dates but an opportunity for pupils to become detectives by exploring the past in an exciting way. History enables our children to compare events, people and cultures, to examine why and how things have changed, to learn about historical figures and develop their research skills. We encourage children to be open minded and enquiring thinkers who begin to understand cause and effect. We want them to understand how people have lived in the past and compare this to their modern life. We provide first hand experiences through handling real artefacts and exciting visits. To support their learning, a range of trips, visits and visitors are arranged to provide experiential and engaging learning opportunities.

Curriculum Implementation

During their journey through school, the children will follow the age-related expectations for history set out in the National Curriculum. Our carefully adapted Kapow Primary history scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets in the National Curriculum and the aims also align with those set out in the National Curriculum. For Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the activities allow pupils to work towards the Understanding the World Development Matters statements and Early Learning Goals, while also covering foundational knowledge that will support them in their further history learning in Key Stage 1. The units completed by each year group allow the children to investigate a variety of significant people, places and events from the United Kingdom and across the world. The skills the children learn from their very first history lesson are used and developed throughout the school which is paramount and ensures progression. Children will begin to use their knowledge to make links between different events and cultures in the world using subject-specific vocabulary.

Below is a list of external website links. Please look at these to discover more about different areas of history. Some of the links provide fun and exciting ideas for days out which will provide the children with historical facts and will allow them to explore and investigate the past. Please note that, as these are external sites, it is possible that they may change or disappear without warning!

Supporting Websites

https://www.historyforkids.net/

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/history/

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/history-for-kids - Explore historical places near you and around the country

KS1 BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zkqmhyc

KS2 BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zcw76sg

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/horrible-histories - Children can explore different eras of history through the much loved programme ‘Horrible Histories’