At Trinity our History lessons aim to develop a curiosity of the past, a critical view of sources and a love for how our world has come to be the way it has today. Children will learn about a wide variety of topics, from the changes in living memory and Florence Nightingale, the Great fire of London and famous explorers in KS1 to branching out in KS2 with the timeline of the world up to 1066 and studies of our own local History.
It is our focus that by the time children leave Trinity that they have an understanding of how both people and civilisations have changed the world we live in today and be inspired by past events when they create their own history.
What is our approach to the teaching of History?
In our history lessons we blend experience driven sessions where children are able to explore with rich source anchored learning for the children to interrogate and critique to create a true picture of that time or figure. In KS1, we focus largely on single events and historical figures, learning about how these impacted upon British history. Our Year 1 children start with events within living memory so that they can ask questions of people who have lived through, understanding the world around them, before moving onto investigating famous figures such as Florence Nightingale. This focus then continues into Year 2 with an investigation of famous explorers and their achievements. This allows the children to explore and compare events from more modern times alongside those from long ago, finding similarities and differences.
In KS2 focus shifts from events specifically to a broader view of time period and the long term impacts of these on our World. The children explore the ancient timeline all the way from the birth of humanity in the Stone Age and Iron Age, through the ancient civilisations of the Greeks, Mayans and Romans to the Saxons and Viking ages and how these shaped modern Britain today. The children will also participate in local area studies understanding how Northamptonshire and even Aldwincle itself has been shaped by and participated in history, such as the Second World War.
In KS2 there is a far larger focus on a blend of sources from which the children can draw information, such as primary sources (artefacts, photos, accounts from the time), secondary sources (books, learning programmes) and through experience days designed to immerse and create empathy in the children for the time in which they are delving into. There is also a greater focus on timelines, and children will learn that even ancient civilisations such as the Romans and Egyptians were still active during the same periods.
Throughout our history teaching, links will consistently be made back to the impact on the British Isles and it’s past as an Empire, drawing contextual links between modern day events, cultures and practices that have been influenced by the past.
How often is History taught?
In all year groups History is taught in alternating terms to Geography, allowing for a broad and balanced curriculum as part of overall themes with a key question driving them. History is usually taught for 2 hours each week as part of this.
Who is responsible for the teaching of History?
Across all classes the class teacher is responsible for delivering history to their children.