Skill

All people are living histories, understanding the links between past and present is absolutely fundamental for a good understanding of the human condition. It is not just ‘useful’; it is essential. Developing minds that want to question and learn from mistakes of the past is a core aim of the subject and additionally develops academic skills.

Character

History aims to develop objectivity and tolerance in a world in which it is increasingly difficult to sift opinion from fact. In practice, children reflect upon choices and events in the past in order to apply these lessons to the present and future. By exploring fundamental knowledge about the past and the people in it, children are also able to cultivate a sense of identity linked to their local and national community.

Experiences

Every child will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of history through a domestic or international educational visit. Children will also often have the opportunity to develop the skill of empathy through active learning. For example, developing empathy skills by experiencing the cramped conditions which would occur on the middle passage of a slave trade ship. Children will also frequently have the opportunity to formulate opinions based on evidential knowledge and participate in debates with their peers.

Criticality

Historical thought involves highly critical thinking skills. By exploring the use of historical ‘lenses’ of significance, similarity and difference, cause and consequence, interpretation and change and continuity: children can begin asking questions of the past (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How?) to develop a deeper understanding of the past.

Curriculum Map