Within an ever-changing world, Krishna Avanti Primary School understands and values the importance of teaching History from a young age. The History curriculum teaches pupils about the world in which they live and how it has changed over time by building on prior knowledge, introducing new vocabulary, and developing historical skills following the National Curriculum.
History at KAPSH is taught in line with Rosenshine’s principles, following a clearly sequenced and progressive program of study based on the National Curriculum objectives, so that pupils can achieve depth in their learning. Using CUSP resources, we have implemented the six phases of teaching within every lesson which forms a strong foundation starting from connect leading to thinking- hard challenges. Opportunities for moral growth and spiritual insight are underpinned throughout this curriculum thus making the world a better place.
Our History curriculum aims to foster a curiosity and passion for the past that our children will take with them into secondary education and beyond. Our teaching of history draws upon prior learning, wherever the content is taught. For example, in the EYFS, pupils may learn about the past and present through daily activities, exploring through change, and understanding more about the lives of others through books and visitors as well as their own experiences. These experiences are drawn upon and used to position new learning in KS1.
The structure is built around the principles of advancing cumulative knowledge, chronology, change through cause and consequence, as well as making connections within and throughout periods of time studied. Our History modules are chosen carefully so that our children can develop a sense of period and acquire an understanding of the relationship between the different periods of history studied. In KS2, our curriculum is taught in chronological order, to allow children to continuously build on their prior knowledge and develop a strong chronological foundation. In History lessons, children develop knowledge of key facts, significant people, places, and cultures in history. Retrieval practice, knowledge organisers, and revision of previous learning allows children to be secure in this foundational knowledge.
Our history curriculum considers a variety of perspectives, including political, economic, religious, social, technological and cultural. Wherever possible, links with other curriculum subjects such as Art and Science allows for our children to strengthen their historical understanding. Our children learn about a range of historical topics, including local history, British history, and World history. All children are given opportunities to study the history of diverse people and cultures, both at special times of the year, such as Black History Month, and within regular lessons.
Children are given access to increasingly complex primary and secondary sources to support their learning. They develop an understanding of the reliability of sources, and the idea that there may be different versions of the past. Children are introduced to archaeology and start to understand how artefacts are used to understand ancient cultures. We believe that every child has the right to study a broad curriculum. Our SEND and EAL children are supported to access the curriculum in a variety of ways, including scaffolding, teacher support, and the use of Knowledge notes to reduce the cognitive overload.