Humanities Curriculum Ambition:
“Enquire, Explore, Discover”
To have an understanding and respect of the world that they live in by having the opportunity to discover the awe and wonder of our planet’s journey. To have the confidence to enquire and explore the world around them through meaningful and relevant events in school and in the wider community.
In History, students study people and events from earliest societies to the modern age in line with the new National Curriculum guidelines. Students develop social skills, Literacy, Numeracy and a wider social perspective. Lessons are as practical and fun as possible and pupils take part in many learning opportunities outside of the classroom e.g. visiting Jorvik Centre and the York Museum during the Year 9 York trip. These visits bring the past to life for our pupils and allow them to put what they are learning into a context. They also provide the opportunity for pupils to experience things they may not be able to outside of school.
As far as possible, throughout the topics we try to provide activity days to immerse our pupils in whatever they are learning. Such days prove to be very popular with both pupils and staff.
History is delivered to all pupils in The EYFS/KS1 throughout different lessons primarily ‘Knowled
ge and Understanding of the World’. History is delivered to all pupils in Key Stage 2 under the Humanities rolling program. At KS3 pupils are taught History throughout discrete lessons, either 1 or 2 lessons a week and whenever the opportunity arises throughout other curriculum areas. Entry Level accreditation begins in Year 10 and we currently follow the WJEC Syllabus for accreditation. The teaching of History aims to develop pupils’ awareness of the world they live in, establishing meanings to help them understand how and why things happen/happened.
Studying about the past promotes the personal and social development of our pupils and their learning experiences help them to understand events and information using evidence and their imagination. Through exploring historical sources pupils develop a sense of identity and understanding of how historical events have shaped the past and the future. Pupils understanding of historical events and concepts are reinforced through drama, role play, educational visits, visual aids and ICT. These experiences allow pupils to identify differences and similarities between their lives and those of people in the past. They also develop a greater understanding of the world in which they live and the concept of chronology.
Examples of historical topics covered across the school include: ‘All About Me’, Victorian Britain, The History of Blackpool (local studies), Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, The Slave Trade, The Romans, Events e.g. the Great Fire of London, Britain Since 1930 including WW2, British civilisations and Kings and Queens.
History KS1-4 Scheme of Work
Key Stage 5
In KS5 students continue to develop their historical skills when interpreting sources of information for all of their subjects. They continue to develop their research skills and investigate how different information is interpreted. Within their subjects students get the opportunity to make links between different events and situations and discuss changes.
