At Summerseat Methodist Primary, we aim for a high quality history curriculum which will inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about Britain’s past and of the wider world. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the history of Britain and how it has influenced and been influenced by the wider world.

In Early Years and Key Stage 1, our History curriculum focuses on three main themes that enable pupils to gain historical perspective and make connections between people, places and events in history.  They study changes within living memory and events beyond living memory that are significant nationally.  As part of a local history study, pupils learn about the significance of Peel Tower and Robert Peel. Some areas of study are revisited and are 'Depth' units, indicated with (D) on planning.  These units allow pupils to revisit prior learning and use historical enquiry to study the person, place or event deeper and wider.  The three themes that underpin learning in Early Years and Key Stage 1 are:

Society: How was life the same and different for those who were rich and poor? 

Significance: Why do we remember? Why is it important?

Legacy: What do we have or know now because of this event/person/place?

In Key Stage 2, pupils continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British history through studying periods in chronological order from Lower Key Stage Two.  Using themes establishes clear narratives within and across the periods they study. The themes allow for connections, contrasts and trends over time to be discussed using historical terms. Pupils regularly address and sometimes devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity and difference, and significance.  The three themes that underpin learning are:

Society: Rich and Poor 

Settlements: tribes, civilisations, empire 

Conflict: War/Power and Reconciliation  

Throughout lessons, pupils construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisation of relevant historical information. Pupils will answer the following questions about each period of history they study:

-Who were they?  · Where did they come from?     · Why did they come here?

 · How did their civilisation/empire develop/grow?     · Why did they leave?       

 · What is their legacy?    · How do we know (sources)?

In Lower Key Stage Two, pupils will study the achievements of early civilizations and their legacy. They will complete an in-depth study of The Ancient Egyptians, Mayan Civilisation and Ancient Greece.  Upper Key Stage Two pupils will apply their knowledge of historical enquiry by studying the validity of sources used as they explore World War II.  There are two further local history studies in KS2.

The history curriculum at Summerseat is based on the National Curriculum, which provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each Key Stage. Teachers plan lessons for their class using our history Steps in Learning document which outlines the progression of knowledge and skills. Teachers use this document to plan their history lessons alongside the unit plans that provide a suggested learning journey for each of the units. The progression document ensures the curriculum is covered and the skills/knowledge taught is progressive from year group to year group.

Please see below for our Summerseat History steps in learning, History Steps in Vocabulary and our History long term overview.  You will also see examples of our Knowledge Organisers that help us know more and remember more throughout our History topics.  Knowledge Organisers will be sent home at the beginning of every new topic.