Purpose of the Curriculum

(What will a high quality History education do for our children?)

• Excite a life long curiosity to know more about the past
• Promote fascination about the history of people and places.
• Equip pupils with knowledge about Britain’s past and that of the wider world
• Encourage children to find out about their own history
• Inspire pupils to ask perceptive questions and to think critically
• Develop a range of skills to ‘think and work like historians’ 

Aim of the Curriculum

By the end of their time at Smith’s Wood Primary Academy, all pupils should be able to:

Knowledge

To have a clear understanding of the history of Britain:

• Know and understand the history of Britain (from the earliest times until present day)
• To know how peoples lives have shaped Britain
• To understand how  Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world

To know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world:

• To discover the nature of ancient civilisations
• To understand how and why empires have expanded and dissolved over time
• To identify characteristic features of past non- European societies
• To know about the achievements and foolishness of mankind

To develop historical understanding:

• To understand historical concepts
• To understand and develop methods of historical enquiry
• To gain historical perspective

Skills

To use and apply the skills of a historian

• To use historical terms accurately
• To make connections between events or periods
• To draw contrasts
• To analyse trends
• To frame historically valid questions
• To create their own structured account 

History Curriculum Overview

History Skills and Knowledge Progression Document