Woodthorpe Church of England Primary School

learned the lesson Archives - Learning In Life

We don’t view History as simply facts and dates here at Woodthorpe, but see it as a chance to become a detective and explore the past in an exciting way. History allows our children to compare and contrast, to examine how and why things have changed, to learn about historical characters and expand their research skills and gives the children a chance to explore a wide range of sources from which the past may come alive. Children investigate and record their findings using a variety of media: through English, drama, art and ICT.

We want our children to be open minded and enquiring thinkers understanding cause and effect. We want them to understand how people have lived in the past and begin to make links between the past and modern times. We encourage first hand experience wherever possible; visits, interactive workshops and visiting experts play an important role.

At Woodthorpe, we aim to embrace the history of our local past, significant British events and those of the wider world.

By using thematic topic areas, History is portrayed both inside and outside the classroom through meaningful pupil-inspired activities. Our aspirations are to embrace our pupils' historic knowledge of their local surroundings to progress their understanding of the world they live in. Pupils appreciate the history that is on their doorstep, as well as that outside Woodthorpe.

Children can reinforce their skills from most other subject areas alongside History itself - for example; creating timelines and highlighting connections, determining family trees and looking at traditional arts. Educational visits to places such as Manor Lodge, Hardwick Hall and Bolsover Castle increases the pupils' motivation and drive to succeed in their learning. Pupils will be inspired to think critically, ask perceptive questions and research sufficient evidence to further their understanding of our historical past. We promote pupils' SMSC development through History by promoting an understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their heritage and that of others.

Curriculum Intent

The study of history ignites 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. At Woodthorpe C of E, our intent, when teaching history, is to stimulate the children’s curiosity in order for them to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.

Our subject intent is to:

Instill in the children a curiosity and understanding of events, places and people in a variety of times and environments.
Develop the children’s interest in the past and an appreciation of human achievements and aspirations.
Ensure the children understand the values of our society.
Learn about the major issues and events in the history of our own country and of the world and how these events may have influenced one another.
Develop a knowledge of chronology within which the children can organise their understanding of the past.
Understand how the past was different from the present and that people of other times and places may have had different values and attitudes from ours.
Understand the nature of evidence by emphasising the process of enquiry and by developing the range of skills required to interpret primary and secondary source materials.
Distinguish between historical facts and the interpretation of those facts
Understand that events have a multiplicity of causes and that historical explanation is provisional, debatable and sometimes controversial

History Intent, Implementation and Impact

Rosa Park's Bus Boycott:

Curriculum Coverage

At Woodthorpe, we aim to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for History and base our teaching and planning on this. Through following the National Curriculum and shaping this to our own engaging topics we have ensured that the content of the curriculum has been covered by the time a pupil leaves Woodthorpe in Year 6. During these topics the pupils at Woodthorpe will learn about real people and real events in the past. They will consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like, how these societies organised their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions. As they do this, the pupils will develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people.

Our curriculum is structured around topics based on the Cornerstones Curriculum Maestro, which is a creative and thematic approach to learning- delivered through imaginative learning and companion projects. These provide a rich menu of exciting and motivating learning activities that make creative links between all aspects of our children’s learning.

History Overview 2022/2023 including enrichment

Spirituality in History

At Woodthorpe we will draw on the language of wows, ows and nows, so that conversations around spirituality will be included in classroom teaching of History when appropriate from Reception to Year 6.

This language of spirituality begins from a Christian understanding that everyone is a valued creation, individually and uniquely made by God, like pots made by a potter (Isaiah 64:8). Yet, in life things happen that impact on the physical ‘pot’ of life and create cracks that provide a glimpse of something ‘beyond’ the tangible. Christians would view this as an opportunity to relate to the Divine Creator God. Cracks may be caused when something so good and breath-taking happens that the pot expands and cracks – the wows of life. Cracks may happen when something challenging happens and threatens the comfort of everyday – the ows of life. Cracks can also happen in the stillness and ordinariness of everyday – the nows of life, when a moment of stillness, a pause or prayer creates a crack in the normal, physical everyday.
Points to consider:
• Which stories tell historical wows?
• Which stories tell historical ows?
• What lessons for future decisions and choices do they provide?

Have a look at our amazing homework completed by the children based on Armistice Day. We remembered those who fought and who are still fighting.