Intent

We use the Kapow scheme of work for History.

Our work in History aims to inspire our children to be curious and creative thinkers. They will develop a complex knowledge of national and international history. They will also study some key local history topics such as the plague in Eyam. We want our children to have the confidence to think critically, ask questions and be able to explain and analyse historical evidence.

Through our scheme of work, children will learn about significant individuals and events in global, British and local history and develop an understanding of how things have developed over time. Having an understanding of history helps children to understand the relationships between people and why people behave in the way they do. 

Children will develop an understanding of chronology, making connections over periods of time and developing a chronologically secure knowledge of History. 

Children will begin to understand how historians study the past and start to be able to consider the reliability of some sources. They will develop their skills in carrying out their own historical enquiries. 

Through their study in history, children will be introduced to key concepts including: power, invasion, settlement and migration, empire, civilisation, religion, trade, achievements of humankind, society and culture. 

The knowledge we want our children to remember is set out in the Kapow knowledge organisers for each unit.

Our History scheme of work enables children to meet the expectations set out in the National Curriculum. 

Implementation

Each unit in history has a focus on chronology to allow children to place the time period they are studying amongst previously studied topics. Children engage in activities to compare characters from stories, including historical figures, deepening their understanding of how individuals fit into wider historical narratives. In Key Stage 1, children will develop their awareness of the past and will know where people and events fit chronologically. This supports the children to develop their "mental timeline" that they can refer to throughout their learning in Key Stage 2. 

Through their journey in History, children develop their understanding of:

• Change and continuity.
• Cause and consequence.
• Similarities and differences.
• Historical significance.
• Historical interpretations.
• Sources of evidence. 

Children will have varied opportunities to learn how historians use these skills to analyse the past and make judgements. They will confidently develop and use their own historical skill set. As children progress through the history scheme, they will create their own historical enquiries to study using sources and the skills they have developed.

Concepts such as power, trade, invasion and settlement, are introduced in Key stage 1, clearly identified in Lower key stage 2 and revisited in Upper key stage 2 (see Progression of skills and knowledge), allowing knowledge of these key concepts to grow. These concepts are returned to in different contexts, meaning that pupils begin to develop an understanding of these abstract themes which are crucial to their future learning in History.

The children's learning in history follows a spiral curriculum model where previous skills and knowledge are returned to and built upon. 

Learning is further enhanced by visits out of school, such as visiting the plague village of Eyam. We also invite visitors in to give the children the experience of a theme day. For example, a day learning about The Egyptians through acting, team work and problem-solving. As well as this, through their work in history, children watch videos which explain careers of ethos in history related fields, for example understanding the work of an archivist, archaeologist or museum curator. 

Lessons are designed to be varied, engaging and hands-on, allowing children to experience the different aspects of an historical enquiry. In each lesson, children will participate in activities involving disciplinary and substantive concepts, developing their knowledge and understanding of Britain’s role in the past and that of the wider world. Children will develop their knowledge of concepts and chronology as well as their in-depth knowledge of the context being studied.

Impact

We started following the Kapow History scheme of work in January 2025. As yet, it is too early to make judgements on its impact. However, the expected impact of our History scheme of work is that children will:

● Know and understand the history of Britain, how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world.

● Develop an understanding of the history of the wider world, including ancient civilisations, empires, non-European societies and the achievements of mankind.

● Develop a historically-grounded understanding of substantive concepts - power, invasion, settlement and migration, civilisation, religion, trade, achievements of mankind and society.

● Form historical arguments based on cause and effect, consequence, continuity and change, similarity and differences.

● Have an appreciation for significant individuals, inventions and events that impact our world both in history and from the present day.

● Understand how historians learn about the past and construct accounts.

● Ask historically-valid questions through an enquiry-based approach to learning to create structured accounts.

● Explain how and why interpretations of the past have been constructed using evidence.

● Make connections between historical concepts and timescales.

● Meet the relevant Early Learning Goals at the end of EYFS (Reception) and the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for History at the end of Key stage 1 and 2.