Building on Meanwood’s vision and values and the National Curriculum for History, we aim to provide an exceptional History education that embraces our school vision

Open Hearts – We create a cooperative learning environment, encouraging children to work together, share ideas and learn collaboratively. 

Open Minds – We inspire our children to strive for excellence in History, supporting them to develop fluency in Historical knowledge through regular retrieval practice. We celebrate their achievements and encourage them to reach their full potential. 

Open Arms – We foster empathy in our pupils, encouraging them to understand and appreciate different cultures, perspectives and opinions in History. We promote an inclusive environment where all learners feel valued and supported in their Historical journey.

Intent

History teaching at Meanwood focuses on enabling children to think as historians. We place an emphasis on building a knowledge rich curriculum which equips children with key facts for each subject studied. We do not follow a prescribed scheme of work at Meanwood, choosing to instead design a curriculum that is localised, personal to Meanwood’s children and families, and rooted in wonderful Literature, real-life experiences and primary artefacts and sources available to us. We understand as a staff the importance of teaching concepts in depth thus ensuring learning is embedded deeply as opposed to teaching more concepts but not exploring them thoroughly enough, meaning learning is easily forgotten.  We focus on helping children understand that historical events can be interpreted in different ways, and that they should always ask searching questions, such as ‘how do we know?’ about information they are given. Each unit of History taught centres around an enquiry question which leads the learning throughout the half term. Enthusiasm for History is gained through end of topic 'Pop up Museums' where the children have the chance to showcase their new knowledge to family, friends and staff. Children also have the opportunity to respond to the enquiry question at the end of each unit through a written piece in their History books.

Our four key substantive concepts are:

• Empire
• Monarchy
• Religion
• War

These themes run throughout our history curriculum and allow our children to recognise the impact and influence key historical events and eras have had on both Britain and the world up to the modern day. Our children also develop an understanding that the interpretation of these key moments is always changing. By the end of their time with us, all pupils have a thorough understanding of these four concepts.

We aim for all children to develop a genuine interest in history and a real sense of curiosity about how humanity has reached the point it has in the modern day and how they have been influenced by both key moments, eras and individuals.

Implementation

At Meanwood, our History curriculum follows the National Curriculum and provides children with opportunities to explore History in their local area, explore connections and think critically about how History has shaped the world that we live in today.

The use of long-term plans and knowledge organisers allow staff to implement lessons that have clear endpoints, ensuring a systematic approach to learning. Assessment is used as a diagnostic tool to help mould the curriculum to the needs and requirements of the learners. Quizzes, recaps and connected knowledge lessons give all children the opportunity to retain the knowledge they need to move onto the next step in their learning journey. 

The topics are progressive between year groups and ensure all of the content from the National Curriculum is covered. In EYFS the curriculum is implemented using carefully planned provision within the classroom and relates to objectives set out in the Early Years Curriculum which provides the foundations for the KS1 History curriculum.

Impact

At Meanwood our aim is to keep all the children working together at broadly the same place by taking small steps in learning.

Formative Assessment

The children’s progress is assessed using regular formative assessment in lessons through questioning, regular retrieval practice, assessment of work in books and feedback. Before each unit of learning, the children complete a pre-knowledge check based on the previous learning. This allows teachers to teach any necessary connected knowledge prior to the starting the new unit of work to support the needs of pupils in their classes.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment in History takes place in the form of end of unit quizzes which take place at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after a unit has been completed. These inform the teacher of any children that need further consolidation and/or intervention. 

Tracking Pupil Progress

The results of these quizzes are submitted into a spreadsheet which track children’s progress. Teachers can then see where gaps in learning are and provide further consolidation and/or intervention. 

Staff Development

Training needs are identified as a result of whole school monitoring and evaluation, performance management and through self-analysis. The subject leader is keen to share best practice and disseminate up-to-date initiatives to staff via planned CPD and development time. This will ensure the subject is constantly evolving to meet the demands of curriculum expectations

Monitoring

The subject leader, SLT and Governors all play a role in the monitoring of History at Meanwood. Regular monitoring via learning walks, book looks and pupil/staff voice feedback ensures the subject is constantly being reviewed and regulated to ensure the best learning opportunities for all.

ensures the subject is constantly being reviewed and regulated to ensure the best learning opportunities for all.