Intent

 At St Laurence Church of England Primary School, we shape our history curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive for every child. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for History; providing a broad and balanced curriculum that encompasses the British Values throughout; ensuring the progressive development of historical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for children to study life in the past.

At St Laurence, we provide a high-quality history curriculum that inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the history of Britain and how it has influenced and been influenced by the wider world; an understanding of significant aspects of the history of the wider world like ancient civilisations and empires; changes in living memory and beyond living memory; the lives of significant people of the past; an understanding of the methods of historical enquiry and the ability to ask and answer questions. We want children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining knowledge and skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of educational visits and employing visitors to come into school to enhance the historical experience.

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in history, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. At St Laurence, we ensure that history has the same importance given to it as the core subjects, as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences.

The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at St Laurence Church of England Primary school 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 children to thoroughly enjoy learning about history, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.

At St Laurence, we understand that history provides identity. Studying history improves our decision-making and judgement. It shows us models of good and responsible citizenship. It also teaches us how to learn from the mistakes of others. Learning about history helps us to understand change and societal development. History helps us understand human nature and therefore ourselves.