Our History Curriculum

​

Intent

At Highweek we offer a coherently planned sequence of lessons to help teachers ensure they have progressively covered the skills and concepts required in the National Curriculum. We aim to develop historical skills and concepts which are transferable to whatever period of history is being studied and will equip children for future learning. These key historical skills and concepts, which are revisited throughout different units, are: cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity, difference and significance. Chronology and interpreting sources run throughout each unit. In KS1, studying history topics such as the Great Fire of London and the local highstreet in the 1950s, helps children understand time, events, and key figures, linking them to their own memories and those of their parents and grandparents. To support chronology from lower KS2, units will be taught in chronological order to support children’s understanding of the concept of time. 

 

 

Implementation

To ensure children retain and deepen their historical knowledge, each lesson sequence is designed to consider prior learning, with built-in opportunities for revising facts and historical concepts. However, this structure is flexible, allowing for revision to become an integral part of good teaching practice and ultimately enhancing the depth of students' understanding. By revisiting and reinforcing skills, our lesson plans and resources enable children to build on what they already know while introducing new challenges and skills. Each key stage follows a specific series of lessons that provide structure and narrative, though these should not be followed rigidly but instead serve as a guide to support planning. Key vocabulary revision and introduction are embedded in each lesson. Through our lessons, we aim to inspire both students and teachers to develop a passion for history and appreciate how it has shaped the world they live in. Teachers are encouraged to consider opportunities available to use the local area and visits/visitors to enable children to base learning on first hand experiences to enhance teaching and learning in history.

 

Impact

The use of a wide range of resources will have a visible impact across the school, raising the profile of history. The learning environment will become more consistent, with historical technical vocabulary displayed, spoken, and used by all learners. Engagement with history will also be strengthened through whole-school and parent involvement by our showcases. Our goal is to foster a love for history among both teachers and students, inspiring them to continue expanding their historical knowledge and understanding, now and in the future. The impact of our approach can also be assessed through key questioning skills integrated into lessons, final outcomes, and summative assessments, all of which help identify next steps in student learning.

Highweek History Overview

​

History Progression of Skills KS1

​

History Progression of Skills lower KS2

​

History Progression of Skills upper KS2

​

​

​