History
“We are not makers of History. We are made by History.”
Martin Luther King, Jr
Intent
At Dundale, our intent, when teaching history, is to stimulate the children’s curiosity and investigative skills, in order for them to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding. Children are encouraged to develop a curiosity for the world around them - beginning to see the clues and evidence and asking increasingly complex questions about them. As pupils progress through the school, their growing knowledge of the chronology of key events and periods in history, enables them to begin to develop their understanding of the related causes and effects.
We plan for the study of history to ignite children’s curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. Through finding out about how and why the world, our country, culture and local community have developed over time, children understand how the past influences the present. History enables children to develop a context for their growing sense of identity and a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people. What they learn through history can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values.
Implementation
Our curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. All our teaching originates from the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. It is important that the children develop progressive skills needed to work as a historian throughout their time at Dundale and do not just learn a series of facts about the past.
In History, pupils at Dundale, find evidence, weigh it up and reach their own conclusion. To do this successfully, as historians, they need to be able to research, interpret evidence, including primary and secondary sources, and have the necessary skills to argue for their point of view; skill that will help them in their adult life
Intended Impact
During the children’s learning journey at Dundale our intended impact of the History curriculum is to ensure that children develop:
- A secure knowledge and understanding of people, events and contexts from the historical periods covered
- The ability to consistently support, evaluate and challenge their own and others’ views using detail, appropriate and accurate historical evidence derived from a range of sources.
- The ability to think, reflect, debate, discuss and evaluate the past, forming and refining questions and lines of enquiry.
- A passion for history and an enthusiastic engagement in learning, which develops their sense of curiosity about the past and their understanding of how and why people interpret the past in different ways.