Across the course of a year, each year group studies a variety of humanities topics. These are either history or geography focused to allow our learning to focus on core subject specific knowledge and skills. Links across and between subjects give children a broad base of knowledge, facts, vocabulary, real-life experience and contexts to use for learning. Both history and geography have identified key themes which support children to make connections and links across the topics covered. Some key topics are re-visited throughout children’s school-life in varying forms in order that they may deepen their skills, knowledge and understanding. A precise tiered approach to vocabulary enables children to build a shared working vocabulary. Each topic is linked to a famous person; each topic, and the people chosen, carefully reflects our school community and helps to raise children’s aspirations.
Throughout the school, our history lessons are underpinned by the use of artefacts, technology and interactive styles of learning. This means that all children and all learning styles are catered for so that teachers are able to appeal to different interests and needs.
In History, in Key Stage 1, children focus on the core skills of chronology and sequencing. They also look at a range of different evidence in order to find out about the past. In Key Stage 2, the units selected enable children to build on previous knowledge and make links across the periods and events they have studied. Children learn the main historiology skills of chronology and examining evidence and these build in complexity from Year 1 to Year 6. When children leave Holy Trinity, we expect them to have a sound understanding of the chronology of major periods in world history, a knowledge of key people, events and our four themes, and well developed historiology skills.
Within each topic, lessons follow carefully planned sequences which support children to build on their previous knowledge and skills whilst learning new content. Throughout each topic there is a balance of practical, hands-on learning, research reading and written recording of knowledge. Cross subject links are made to support children in developing an holistic understanding of history and the impact it has on the world around us.
