Our Subject Leader for History is Mrs Crook.
Curriculum Intent
At Gilnow, we are enthusiastic about our children being curious about the past and how it informs the present and future. The Gilnow History curriculum intends to inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past through the study of the planned themes and a yearly whole-school historical enquiry project. Our children will gain coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our History curriculum teaches our children to appreciate the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges over time. The curriculum will equip our children to understand the process of change and how significant people have shaped the world as we know it. Historical themes are taken from the national curriculum and are thoughtfully matched to our children’s needs. For example, we make links where possible with the local area to develop a sense of local understanding and belonging in our children, many of whom were not born in Bolton. The curriculum is carefully planned and structured to ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning, skills and knowledge are built upon and chronology skills are embedded throughout the key stages.
Curriculum Implementation
History at Gilnow is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. The topics ensure a progression of knowledge and skills throughout each group across the school. At the beginning of a topic, children are able to demonstrate what they already know. This informs the teaching of the lessons within the topic and adaptations can be made which take into account children’s different starting points. History at Gilnow enables children to think like a historian, develop an awareness of the past and how the people and events they study fit into a chronological framework. They will identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. Children are encouraged to ask and answer questions and to use a variety of historical sources, objects and artefacts to provide their answers.
History at Gilnow follows the topics outlined on the long term overview for each year group. Teachers utilise knowledge organisers which detail key facts and vocabulary. This learning is revisited at the start of each History lesson. A pre-learning task determines children’s starting points and a post learning task demonstrates depth of understanding. Teachers ensure that children are exposed to a variety of sources, objects and artefacts which inform their knowledge and learning.
In the final term, children can use their historical skills and knowledge to complete the collaborative whole school historical enquiry and present their findings to their teachers, friends and family.
Curriculum Impact
The History curriculum will make a long lasting and positive impact on the outcomes of every pupil. The design and structure enables us to return to core knowledge and skills throughout the topic, embedding key skills, knowledge and understanding. Key facts are supported by the knowledge organiser which details the key vocabulary and learning points. Teachers endeavour to create strong and appropriate cross curricular links. Each lesson, teachers recap previously taught knowledge which supports pupils to retain the knowledge taught, resulting in an impactful curriculum.
This is measured through:
- Learning walks
- Lesson observation and feedback
- Book looks
- Pupil voice conversations
- Staff meeting training and discussion
- Termly summative assessments
