Newlyn School History Curriculum
“A people without a knowledge of their past history, culture and origin is like a tree without roots. “ Marcus Garvey
Intent:
At Newlyn, we aim for a high-quality history curriculum which should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We want children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining this knowledge and skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of fieldwork and educational visits.
We use the national curriculum scheme of work for history as the basis for our curriculum planning. We have adapted the national scheme to the local circumstances of our school. We begin by focussing on our understanding of time and our own history; then look out at the impact history has had on the world around us and finally consider the way we know so much about the past and learn to question where this information has come from.
Implementation:
In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in history, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. History is taught as part of a termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum.
Provision for history activities is part of the overall topic planning completed for each class on a termly basis, with one termly topic having history as the main focus. Children of all abilities have the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in each unit and, through planned progression built into the scheme of work, we offer them an increasing challenge as they move up the school.
It may be taught through topic work, discretely or as part of an English lesson, where a literacy skill is being taught using historical content.
Skills and knowledge covered will be recorded in teachers’ history planning.
Impact:
The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Newlyn 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.
We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about history, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.
The assessment of children’s work is on-going during lessons to ensure that the understanding is being achieved and that progress is being made. Feedback is given to the children as soon as possible, and the school’s Marking Policy will guide marking work. At two points throughout the academic year (after the main history topic and at the end of the academic year), all teachers assess the level at which the children in their class are working, using the Newlyn Assessment Grid and a quiz. This information is then passed on to the children’s subsequent teachers to ensure effective progression and a copy of this information is also given to the subject leaders for their records.