History

Intent 

  Children at Kennall Vale will develop a love and curiosity for the past through a History curriculum that builds upon important skills and encourages pupils to ask questions and think critically. Expert teaching will ensure children build a secure chronological understanding of British history and that of the wider world. Through the teaching of History, we endeavour to teach children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. Children will learn about the history of our local area, from exploring the physical changes in the village of Ponsanooth to the rich mining history of Cornwall.

 

Implementation

History at Kennall Vale follows the National Curriculum to ensure a broad and progressive coverage for all children in Years 1-6. Children in EYFS will explore History through the Early Learning Goal; Understanding the World. Lessons are taught in blocks to ensure sequencing, succinct lesson design, to support all children with working memory and to make links and connections within topics and across our curriculum.  Key Stage History is used as a resource to support delivery of engaging lessons; enabling children to develop their substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills. History topics throughout the school work towards answering an overarching enquiry question and individual lessons will follow a lesson design: retrieval, activate using historical sources and timelines, guided practice, independent practice and assessment. Assessment will be measured using collaborative mindmaps and discussion in KS1, whilst in KS2 children will complete Socrative quizzes, individual mindmaps and Show me what you know pieces.

 Children will have the opportunity to experience trips and visitors to enhance their learning, understanding and love of History. Children will also be exposed to a range of historical sources and artefacts through links with the local archive centre; Kresen Kernow and the Royal Cornwall Museum. The History subject leader will monitor the teaching of History through learning walks, pupil voice and book scrutinies, and develop teacher’s subject knowledge through termly staff meetings.

 

Impact

 Children will develop a curiosity about the past, whilst learning and applying important skills.  Children will become increasingly critical and analytical within their thinking, making informed and balanced judgements based on their knowledge of the past. They will become increasingly aware of how historical events have shaped the world that they currently live in. Through History, children will learn to make comparisons and links between the past and modern times and discover how and why things have changed. A progression in skills and vocabulary will be evident in individual history books as well as on Showbie.