St Jude's C of E Federation follows the Cornerstones curriculum for History.

Intent:

At St Jude’s School Federation, we intend for all children to experience a broad, aspirational, relevant and rich history curriculum that gives them a thirst to find out more about the past. It is our aim that our children will be able to ask and answer historical questions, investigate artefacts, use sources to gather information, and immerse themselves in the past through engaging lessons, school trips and workshops. Children should leave St Jude’s not only with a secure historical knowledge base, but also with a range of skills that will support them in their further studies and everyday lives.

Implementation:

Across KS1 and KS2, we use Cornerstones as a tool to support the teaching of history through a project-based approach. This follows the knowledge and skills set out in the National Curriculum (2014) and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (2021). The projects have been carefully planned to ensure coverage and progression of skills, while allowing children to build upon their disciplinary knowledge year on year.

Our curriculum is carefully structured so that children are taught at an appropriate level and prior learning is revisited and embedded. Through the way our curriculum is organised, children gain an understanding of the local area and its history, alongside key aspects of national and world history. We have strong links with Egham Museum, whose curators regularly enhance our curriculum offer through their extensive local historical knowledge.

Chronology is at the heart of all history lessons. Within KS2, we teach British history chronologically, ensuring that children can identify links and make comparisons between the periods studied.

History is taught as part of a termly project in the Autumn and Summer terms. To add depth to each historical study, texts used in English lessons across KS2, where possible, complement the historical period being studied. In addition, some art and DT units take inspiration from the history topic being taught, while maintaining their own subject-specific learning intentions and skills progression. For example, the project Dynamic Dynasties is taught alongside the art and design project Taotie to give children a broader understanding of ancient Chinese art and culture.

Our project-based curriculum is designed to ensure that children retain knowledge and remember more over the long term.

Learning is shared with parents, where appropriate, through Sharing Mornings, class assemblies and exhibitions. In addition, children complete quizzes that draw together all that has been learned. Teachers use this assessment information to plan retrieval practice over the following months and to make adaptations to future teaching.

In EYFS, we provide children with opportunities to discuss changes in their own lives and the lives of others. Children also learn about events in the distant past and use simple vocabulary to describe the passing of time.

In KS1, children are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of how past events have influenced life today. They compare childhood today with childhood in the 1950s. This project is enhanced by a trip to Eton Museum and the study of artefacts provided by Chertsey Museum. Children also learn about the achievements of significant individuals who have helped shape the world in which we live.

In KS2, pupils continue to develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history, establishing clear narratives within and across the periods they study. Through considering the causes and consequences of historical events and individuals on Britain and the wider world today, they answer historical questions using a variety of sources and develop their skills of historical interpretation and enquiry. They use their organisational and communication skills to share their knowledge and understanding.

Impact:

Children at St Jude’s are enthusiastic about history and demonstrate a curiosity to learn more about the past. This is evident through the work they produce, displays around the school, their engagement in lessons and pupil voice. Children are able to make links between local, national and world history. They understand how people's lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world.

They understand historical concepts such as cause and consequence, comparison and significance, and use them to make connections, frame historically valid questions, and create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses.