Intent

The intent of The Vine's History curriculum is to help our pupils develop as 21^st century citizens, understanding our world today, how it has been influenced by those before us and allowing them the chance to see how they can transform the world we live in today by being the agents of change. Our curriculum is rooted in our International links; across the school we study a wide range of historical contexts, i.e. the Greeks and the Mayans, which allows the pupils to make connections between past and present and compare the histories of different cultures helping them to become enriched by different cultures and religions of the past. Furthermore, our Global Values are woven into our History curriculum at The Vine. Each year group focuses on one Global Value, and history provides a valuable opportunity to address these specific Global Values and how they may have changed over time. Finally, our curriculum links to our Methodist Values and encourages the pupils to consider the ways we can ‘do all the good we can’. We encourage an all encompassing acceptance in our pupils as 21st century citizens, and in History they are given the opportunity to reflect on times in the past when this has and has not been achieved. 

Implementation

Our well planned History curriculum is designed for pupils from Foundation Stage to Year 6 to have the opportunity to revisit, revise and recap their understanding of a variety of topics, creating a culture of learning whereby the pupils can enjoy their achievements. The skills revised through each year in the school are chronology, knowledge and understanding, and historical enquiry. 

Chronology - pupils will develop and build on their chronological understanding of a wide range of historical events, using timelines and using specific chronological vocabulary.

Knowledge and interpretation - in each year group the pupils will study a different topic in History and will investigate this topic by developing their understanding of the way history is presented and building confidence in asking historically valid questions. 

Historical enquiry - Pupils are encouraged to compare and contrast historical customs and beliefs from one society to another by studying a range of sources. They will be able to link these to their own experiences and make connections in other subjects and how these relate to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) and British Values. Open and supplementary questioning utilising Blooms taxonomy ensures that pupils can deepen their understanding by empathising with people and events of the past and analysing their motivation and decisions. In addition, pupils are encouraged to ask their own probing questions and are given opportunities to reflect, discuss and debate with their peers. Time is spent developing historical skills such as interpretation and enquiry. Pupils who demonstrate mastery will: evaluate the reliability of sources, select the most appropriate; and form their own opinions about historical events.

History curriculum links to the Vine Vision

“Let peace dwell here” –Covid – 19 gaps addressed via English and Maths links in the new curriculum, creating a peaceful and content environment for pupils post lockdown.

“Love of one another” – learning about continuity and change and how events have impacted us as well as others. Learning about other cultures, religions and diversity, looking at similarity and change, reflecting on British Values and SMSC.

“Love of mankind” – understanding significant events in history, appreciating, and respecting the significance of different events to a variety of people all over the world both past and present.

“Many hands build a house, so many hearts create a school” – addressing strengths and weaknesses of teaching staff, helping one another to grow and supporting one another in doing so. Using the new curriculum to collectively deliver a coherent History curriculum, allowing pupils the opportunity to revisit and revise content.

“Let the rooms be filled with contentment” – addressing Covid gaps through the curriculum, giving pupils a sense of contentment through well thought out, high quality teaching, making links across the curriculum allowing pupils to solidify their learning and progress.