History

Intent
For our learners our curriculum provides:
- a values-based curriculum, building from a foundation of Christian values, to prepare our learners to be inclusive, respectful of themselves and others, and able to contribute fully to a modern, multi-cultural, British society;
- opportunities to develop as responsible citizens, successful learners and
confident individuals;
- enrichment opportunities to provide exciting experiences to make learning real, to
open their minds to worlds beyond their own, and to enable them to empathise with
each other, and others in different circumstances and from different backgrounds,
places and times;
- a language-rich curriculum to develop deep understanding and cultural capital;
- skills to develop positive relationships, and high expectations of behaviour;
enabling everyone to be the best possible versions of themselves;
- a range of knowledge and skills to be equipped for the next stage in their
education.

At Hopton C of E Primary Academy, we believe that history is the study of the past through the lives of people, events and societies, and is rooted in the understanding of chronology and the careful interpretation of evidence. Our history curriculum is designed to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world, and to help them understand how the past has shaped the present. We aim to provide a rich and coherent curriculum that enables children to develop a secure chronological framework, within which they can build and organise their knowledge of significant events, periods and individuals. Through this, pupils gain an understanding of key historical concepts, including cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and historical interpretation.

Our curriculum encourages pupils to ask questions, think critically and engage with a range of sources. They learn to evaluate evidence, consider different viewpoints and understand that historical interpretations can be debated and are often shaped by the evidence available. In doing so, pupils develop the disciplinary skills needed to become thoughtful and reflective historians. We place a strong emphasis on local history, enabling children to explore the heritage of their community and understand the events that have shaped their locality and school. Alongside this, pupils study national and international history, allowing them to appreciate the diversity of human experience and the complexity of past societies, including their beliefs, cultures and systems of governance.

Throughout the curriculum, pupils continually revisit the key historical threads of chronology and change over time, historical enquiry and evidence, interpretation and viewpoints, society and everyday life, and local history and identity. These threads are carefully sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 so that pupils deepen both their substantive historical knowledge and their understanding of how historians investigate and interpret the past.

Through the teaching of history, we support pupils in developing a sense of identity and an understanding of their place in the world. Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and empathy, and is closely linked to our school values of respect, trust, forgiveness and hope. We aim to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to make informed judgements, understand different perspectives and apply their learning to life in modern Britain.

Implementation
History is taught throughout the year across EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. There are also opportunities for History to be taught through cross-curricular subjects. Teachers have identified key
knowledge, concepts and skills and our progression of skills document outlines how these are developed across the Key Stages. Children are supported to make links and develop a deeper understanding of the subject by recalling previous units of learning and teachers use their assessment to plan opportunities that build on prior learning. Children throughout the school have many first hand experiences when learning about the past. They are given opportunities to study artefacts leading to enquiry, investigation, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and presentation. Children will make connections, create their own accounts and use evidence to question why and how historical events
happened. First hand enrichment opportunities are planned to engage the children and bring history to life. These include trips to the Ancient House Museum to learn about the Stone Age, to Kentwell Hall to
study Tudor life and visits within Hopton village to study local history.

Impact
History at Hopton Primary Academy is engaging and memorable whilst also providing first hand experiences that captivate the children’s learning and provoke critical thinking. Children become confident
to express what they have learnt through discussions, drawings and writing using subject specific vocabulary and a thorough historical knowledge. Children enjoy History and are able to recall their
learning over time and sequence significant events in time. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their educational journey within the subject of History.