History

Why We Study History

History is more than just facts about the past. It helps pupils make sense of how the world has changed and why things are the way they are today. By learning history, children develop important skills such as asking questions, thinking critically, and understanding different perspectives.

Our curriculum is designed to:

• Build on pupils’ existing knowledge, making new learning meaningful and easier to understand.
• Use clear examples and stories to bring history to life and avoid confusion.
• Help pupils develop the ability to think like historians by exploring how people in the past lived, what they believed, and how they solved problems.
• Encourage pupils to make connections between different times and places, helping them see the bigger picture of history.

We carefully plan what pupils learn so that each year they deepen their understanding and gain confidence in discussing historical events. This approach ensures that learning history is enjoyable, relevant, and helps pupils grow both academically and personally.

How Our History Curriculum Works

Our history curriculum is thoughtfully mapped out to ensure pupils build their knowledge progressively. We start with what pupils already know and can do, then introduce new content that connects to and extends their understanding.

• Pupils study a broad range of historical topics that cover important events, people, and themes.
• We focus on both substantive knowledge (facts and information about history) and disciplinary knowledge (how historians study the past and create historical accounts).
• Lessons include carefully chosen enquiry questions that encourage pupils to think deeply and make sense of historical events.
• We provide meaningful examples and stories that help pupils understand complex ideas in history.
• Our curriculum is designed to avoid misconceptions by supporting pupils carefully as they develop their own historical explanations.

This structured approach helps pupils develop a clear and coherent understanding of history over time, preparing them well for future learning.

How We Assess History Learning

Assessment in history at Chiseldon is ongoing and helps teachers understand how well pupils are grasping key knowledge and skills.

• We assess pupils’ understanding of historical facts and their ability to explain events and ideas clearly.
• Pupils are encouraged to answer enquiry questions and construct their own historical accounts, showing their growing skills as young historians.
• Teachers use a range of methods including discussions, written work, and projects to check progress.
• Assessment helps us identify any areas where pupils may have misunderstandings or need extra support.
• We use assessment information to plan future lessons that build on pupils’ strengths and address any gaps in knowledge.

Our goal is to ensure every pupil makes steady progress in history and develops a love for learning about the past.