Intent
At Westwood Academy, it is our aim to provide a broad curriculum providing knowledge, developing understanding of concepts, making links and instilling a love of History in all our children. We encourage pupils to not only learn about key people and events in history but also to understand what a historian does and how they find out about the past. We look at range of concepts and regularly provide opportunities for these concepts to be revisited and built on, helping the children to make links between events and periods of history and to help them develop a greater understanding of chronology.
We aim to make children’s learning as experiential as possible, using workshops, artefacts, visiting experts and educational visits where appropriate to make learning enjoyable, meaningful and contextual.
Implementation
We recognise that new knowledge needs to connect with prior knowledge to be retained so we teach History through key substantive concepts: Knowledge and understanding of people and events from the past, Cause and Consequence, Chronological Understanding, Continuity and Change and Historical Interpretation. Regular opportunities are provided for use of sources and artefacts, as well as immersion in history through themed days, role play and debate.
- Key Knowledge progression (including vocabulary) all children must master and apply in lessons.
- Flashbacks are used regularly to support learners’ ability to retrieve and recall knowledge.
- Sticky triggers – Trips, themed days and visiting experts make memorable learning experiences.
- Appropriate curriculum themed home learning tasks which children complete with adults at home.
Impact
Pupil voice and book looks shows that most children:
- Have honed critical thinking skills, analysing historical events and recognising cause-and-effect relationships.
- Can connect historical events to the contemporary world, appreciating the relevance and impact of the past on the present.
- Demonstrate respect for diversity, recognising the valuable contributions of various cultures, ethnicities, and individuals throughout history.
- Have developed robust research skills, engaging in investigations, analysing primary and secondary sources, and drawing informed conclusions.
- Understand their roots and heritage, through their learning about local and national history.