Curriculum Lead: Manna Chacko

Intent

At Coten End, we are passionate about the teaching of history. We understand that studying history gives children the opportunity to develop an understanding of why the world and its people are the way they are today, looking at the impact of past events. Additionally, it prompts children to think critically and ask perceptive questions as they explore the diversity of human experience, past lives and societies. We teach children to question the reliability of sources, encouraging them to be independent thinkers. We aim to not only equip children with these vital skills, but also to help them gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Local history is also important to us and our curriculum has been carefully crafted to ensure children can experience and evaluate parts of the rich history of Warwick. At Coten End, we understand and value the importance of teaching high-level language in order to develop children’s historical understanding and our history units have been planned carefully to ensure progression in historical terms. We understand that children will be much better helped to develop as citizens with a respect for diversity, and tolerance for others' attitudes and beliefs, if they are also encouraged to understand and respect societies different from their own in time as well as place.

Implementation

• Taught as part of a half-termly learning theme.
• Objectives planned carefully to ensure progression of skills and knowledge across school. 
• Annual whole-school history focus e.g. local history study, Platinum Jubilee.
• Whole-school art project creating a chronological timeline. 
• Questioning and regular “low-stakes” quizzes (retrieval practice) used to promote long-term learning.
• Use of Knowledge Organisers to support learning.
• Building on children's prior learning.
• Theme days to bring learning to life.
• Trips, visits and workshops to enrich learning. 
• Encouraging children to ask perceptive questions.
• Teaching history units chronologically in KS2 to support children in developing an awareness of the chronology of British history.
• Children to study significant individuals from a range of time periods, countries and cultures. 
• Revisiting key content and vocabulary in other subject areas.
• Use of artefacts to enhance learning. 
• Explicit referral to historical domains in readiness for KS3 curriculum e.g. continuity and change, similarity and difference

Impact

The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Coten End are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. Children should leave us with a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history. Furthermore, we aim to equip children with skills and values that can be applied more universally, such as critical thinking and tolerance for others. We want the children's enthusiasm for the subject to encourage them to seek further opportunities to develop their skills and understanding in the future. 

Coten End are part of the History Loan Box scheme organised by St John's Museum, and have enjoyed studying and asking questions about Anglo-Saxon artefacts.