Subjects
History
Our Intent
At WPT we believe that every child has the right to access a creative and inspiring History curriculum.
We strive to build critical and reflective thinking in our children through first hand, real life history opportunities whenever possible. These experiences are deeply embedded within the strong skills and knowledge content, driven by our key lines of enquiry such as democracy, the impact of humans and equality.
We need our children to progress through school knowing all that has gone before them, the battles people have fought, the strength of leaders, knowledge of discriminated and persecuted groups such as women and people of colour and through this, gain the compassion to build a better future.
How we intend to remove barriers
Literacy
Students are exposed to reading through source material for historical context, involving skim reading and contextualising with their historical knowledge. A wide range of books and interactive resources has been made available to all History pupils to support them in reading widely and often outside of the classroom. Literacy misconceptions do not go unchallenged and work is regularly checked for literacy errors allowing pupils to grow in confidence within literacy and access the skills required to be a more able historian.
Numeracy
Students work chronologically to create timelines and order events.
In KS2 there is some data handling within History through the use of graphs and charts in historical sources.
Oracy
The reading we do within History develops pupils oracy skills as the range of historical sources is vast and students are encouraged to discuss the sources and make inferences from them. Students are expected to present their findings verbally through presentations.
Vocabulary
Students are given key vocabulary through the use of glossaries, key words in lessons as well as knowledge organisers where appropriate. The reading we do within History develops pupils vocabulary skills as the range of historical sources is vast and students are encouraged to discuss the sources and make inferences from them using key vocabulary.
How we develop skills for learning
Students are given opportunities to develop their skills for learning and each and every lesson. They will develop recall (what key history facts do we want our children to know). This will lead onto interpretation (can they answer the key questions and explain their thought process). Pupils will then begin to compare periods of history to make links (analysis). We strive to develop critical thinking/divergent thinking, our pupils can explain and think deeply about key events and people in history and their impact of life today. Finally the children will gather their ideas together cohesive and evaluate.
How we foster personal attributes
In History our curriculum intent embodies that of the school. We are committed to ensuring students have exposure to the wider world context in order to develop them as well rounded individuals. Our curriculum demands independence, resilience and responsibility with the SCHOOL way.
History allows students to look at events from our past to help us shape our future. This is done at a local, national and international context, facilitating students’ adoption of pride in local and national communities. We aspire for all our students to become avid Historians who demonstrate empathy, tolerance, understanding, aspiration and respect so they are prepared to be active citizens in the local community and beyond.
How we intend to enrich student experiences and broaden the horizons of students
History is a subject that must go beyond the classroom. To this end we broaden the horizons of all our students and enrich their learning through a range of first hand experiences. All our students have exposure to learning beyond the traditional mainstream lesson and have opportunities to enrich their experiences. History is planned as part of cross curricular topics to support links in learning.
Every child at WPT will leave Primary School will a wealth of both History skills and History knowledge that will lead them forward to whatever future they choose.
