Intent

At The Cambridge Primary School we envision children leaving our school with a wide breadth of knowledge relating to both their local history and beyond. We hope to nurture the children’s curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. By developing the skills of a historian children will begin to build their own understanding of how history has impacted us and develop an understanding of the essential part this plays in preparing us for living and working in the modern world.

When children leave The Cambridge Primary School, they will have the following skills:

• Chronologically sequence events from the past on a time line
• Recognise and comment on differences between the past and modern day
• Able to ask and answer questions relating to different sources and objects
• Have confident use of the library etc. for research
• Recognise primary and secondary sources

Implementation

History is embedded within the thematic overarching topic each year group is studying over a half term. History is taught to the whole class, once a week over three half-terms. Other subjects and experiences are used as opportunities for cross-curricular learning. For instance, during Year 2’s Up, Up and Away topic children apply their learning of box kites to their DT kite project, whilst pupils from Year 4 use their historical knowledge in English to produce a newspaper report about a key battle between the Vikings and Saxons.

To provide relevance and purpose, topics are planned around a Key Line of Enquiry which is returned to weekly throughout lessons to provide focus and embed key substantive knowledge. We use historical artefacts, visitors, workshops and visits to excite and intrigue our children to find out more about events and people from the past. Immersive experiences within lessons or as part of hook days and school trips should immerse children in the subject and help to foster empathy and an understanding of the past. Immersive experiences may be as simple as asking pupils “What would you do?” questions or as complex as the battle re-enactments facilitated by external specialists.

Impact

At The Cambridge, children find history a fascinating and engaging subject. They love learning about how things were different in the past and display curiosity by asking relevant questions. The children enjoy having in depth discussion with each other and their teacher sharing their knowledge and comparing their learnings with our lives today.

Fundamental British Values in History

Pupils are taught to respect the cultures and heritage of other Nations in history (mutual respect and tolerance). They are encouraged to reflect upon how the past is different to the present and how society has progressed through time, allowing us to have more choices about things today (individual liberty). Topics are planned to include a range or cultures, ethnicities, genders and other protected characteristics where possible to ensure that all pupils feel represented and included and appreciate the contribution of a range of individuals (diversity, inclusion and equality).

Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development in History

Spiritual: Pupils develop curiosity and fascination as they explore how people lived in the past and how historical events have shaped the modern world. They reflect on the achievements and experiences of significant individuals and civilisations, from Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole to the Ancient Egyptians and the Benin Kingdom, considering how their legacies continue to influence society today.
Moral: Children explore moral questions throughout history, such as the responsibilities of individuals and communities following the Great Fire of London, the impact of war, and debates surrounding the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes. They learn to consider different perspectives, challenge stereotypes and make reasoned judgements about fairness, justice and historical significance.
Social: History lessons encourage collaborative learning through enquiry, discussion and the analysis of historical evidence. Pupils explore how societies have changed over time by studying themes such as democracy in Ancient Greece, migration during the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods, and the development of rights and opportunities for different groups, helping them understand their role in modern Britain.
Cultural: Our curriculum celebrates the richness and diversity of Britain's history alongside civilisations from around the world, including Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the Benin Kingdom. Pupils appreciate the contributions of people from different cultures, genders and ethnic backgrounds, developing respect for the diverse communities that have shaped both Britain's heritage and the wider world.