At St John the Baptist CofE Primary, we encourage children to develop a passion for learning about the past by using enquiry skills to question evidence and build a secure chronological understanding of different historical eras. History is a vital part of our curriculum, centred around the questions “how?” and “why?”, with a strong focus on evaluating sources - an essential skill in today’s world.

Pupils are encouraged to demonstrate courage in asking challenging questions, show compassion when reflecting on the experiences of people throughout history, and use creativity in interpreting and presenting their ideas.

Through studying the world, our country, culture, and local community, children develop a growing sense of identity and a clear framework of significant people and events. The knowledge, skills, and values gained through History empower pupils to make informed choices, shape their attitudes, and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

Our teaching celebrates diversity, individuality, and collaboration, qualities mirrored in the historical timeline of humanity. Lessons are inclusive, engaging, and enjoyable, offering children the chance to explore, investigate, and think critically in a child-led way. By following the aims of the National Curriculum, we provide meaningful, memorable, and thought-provoking experiences that inspire curiosity and ambition.

Across the school, historical skills and knowledge are built progressively, sequenced carefully to maximise learning for all. Every child develops the skills of a historian during their time with us, underpinned by the courage to explore, the compassion to understand, and the creativity to imagine new possibilities.

The National Curriculum sets out the knowledge, skills, and understanding that should be taught in History throughout a child’s time at St John’s. Building on this framework, the History curriculum lead has carefully sequenced topics to ensure pupils develop a secure chronological understanding of the past.

• In Key Stage 1, children are introduced to significant historical events and individuals.

• In Lower Key Stage 2, pupils study the history of the British Isles.

• In Upper Key Stage 2, learning extends to ancient and global civilisations.

This progressive approach enables learners to develop a broad, coherent, and deep understanding of our collective past, supporting their ambitions to become informed, reflective, and confident learners.

History and Geography are taught in alternating half-terms, often making meaningful links with other subjects such as English and Guided Reading. Each topic builds towards a planned outcome, celebrating pupils’ achievements and providing opportunities for creativity in how they present their understanding. Lessons are designed to be fun, enjoyable, and inclusive, allowing every child to engage fully and follow their own interests in a child-led way.

All History sessions are delivered through whole-class teaching, with appropriate support and guidance. Children are encouraged to work independently, in pairs, or in groups, fostering compassion as they listen, collaborate, and learn from one another. Opportunities to lead discussions or present findings develop courage, empowering pupils to ask questions and share their knowledge confidently.

In Reception, History learning is hands-on, engaging, and exploratory. Children explore the past through stories, play, pictures, artefacts, and accounts, noticing similarities and differences between “then” and “now.” Visits to local historical sites, such as the village hall or local park, encourage courage as children step beyond familiar experiences. They learn about the lives of both women and men, showing compassion as they reflect on the challenges and achievements of others.

Through storytelling, role play, songs, and poems, children meet real and fictional characters from different times and cultures. They compare and contrast characters, explore qualities such as bravery, kindness, and resilience, and use creativity to imagine life in the past and express their ideas in a variety of ways. Children also talk about their own lives and families, beginning to organise events in simple chronological order and recognising that some events happened before they were born.

These early experiences nurture curiosity, creativity, compassion, and courage, while being fun, inclusive, and child-led, laying the foundations for confident and empathetic historical thinkers as children progress through Key Stage 1 and beyond.

At St John’s, we are proud to offer a rich, high-quality, and progressive History curriculum that inspires curiosity, ambition, and a love of learning. Children develop enthusiasm for the subject by making meaningful connections between past events and their own lives, recalling prior learning with confidence and interest.

Through the study of History, pupils learn to sequence events chronologically, use sources and artefacts to explore evidence, and apply enquiry skills to question reliability. They understand that evidence does not always provide a complete picture and demonstrate courage in asking challenging questions, compassion in considering the experiences of others, and creativity in interpreting and presenting the past in diverse ways.

Throughout their time at St John’s, children revisit and deepen key historical skills, including chronological sequencing, critical questioning, and analysing artefacts and written accounts, ensuring a progressive and coherent understanding of historical periods and events.

Visits and experiences are an essential part of our curriculum. For example, in Year 6, children visit the Mary Rose to enrich their study of the Tudors. Such opportunities make learning memorable, immersive, and purposeful, broadening pupils’ understanding of significant aspects of history and the wider world.

By the time children leave St John’s, they are equipped with secure chronological knowledge, a strong sense of identity, and the historical skills to question, reflect, and make sense of the world, guided by the values of courage, compassion, and creativity.

What our children say:

 

“We went to Ancient Butser Farm and dug for fossils. I was really happy.” – Abbie

“We had a special visitor all about the Stone Age. We threw javelins to see what it was like to hunt.” – Harvey

“In the Anglo Saxons we had a special visitor who showed us all these different weapons. He cut a watermelon up with an axe. It was so long. It was a spear and an axe combined.” – Darcy

“The Great Fire of London burnt down nearly the whole of London. We did an investigation about who burnt the toast at school to help us learn about fire safety now.” – Thea

“When you learn about the Romans in Year 3 & 4 there is a Roman dress-up day. We looked at artefacts, swords, shields and armour. There is loads of stuff that makes history good but we don’t want to spoil the surprises for younger children.” – Frederick

“King Henry VIII, when he first became King, had 5 ships and ended up with 53. We are going to the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth to see the real thing and all the treasures.” – Jack

“In the Bronze Age they first discovered bronze and it was the longest one out of Stone Age, Iron Age and Bronze Age. We got some copper and we made rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.” – Scarlett

 

 

Useful websites to improve history knowledge at home:

KS1 History - BBC Bitesize

Primary History teaching resources

History Storytime - For Kids | Podcast on Spotify