Wilstead follows the National Curriculum Programmes of Study in History, using the Twinkl PlanIt resources to support teaching and learning, supplemented with resources and activities from Purple Mash.

We aim to develop historical skills and concepts which are transferable to whatever period of history is being studied and will equip children for future learning. These key historical skills and concepts (which are revisited throughout different units) are:

Historical Interpretations

Historical Investigations

Chronological Understanding

Knowledge and Understanding of Events

People and Changes in the Past

Presenting, Organising and Communicating

Year 1 begin with events beyond living memory (Travel and Transport) and moving through to events that have taken place within living memory (Toys). This curriculum design supports children to grasp the difficult concept of the passing of time. Year 2 follow a similar approach but adapt their curriculum topics to fit with world events such as Remembrance Day when studying WW1. 

Key Stage 2's curriculum is designed similarly, working in chronological order of their topics per year group such as discovering who the Ancient Egyptians were in the early civilisations, to exploring the impact of World War Two, Stone Age and Iron Age or The Tudors - with the exception of Space Travel which allows for further crosscurricular links. 

The repeat of chronological order across the topics covered in Key Stage Two classes allows for our children to truly develop and embed a sense of time and civilisations were interconnected. 

Values-Based Education

History is taught within the context of our school values, which teachers ensure are woven through teaching in all subjects. 

The values of Resilience, Respect, Curiosity and Acceptance have particular weight within the History Curriculum which supports children to have exposure to different cultures and ways of life while showing respect for these and people's opinions.

Children also have the opportunity to discuss their understanding of the values of Empathy, Loyalty and Originality as they learn more about the events beyond and within living memory and their own wider opportunities.

Miss D Hinds, History Subject Leader