History

“If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.” Pearl S. Buck

 

At Our Lady’s Bishop Eton Primary School we teach history through enquiry based topics which are enhanced through first hand experiences, field trips to relevant sites of historical interest and specialist workshops.

KS2

In KS2 our curriculum is split into three distinct areas: History of Britain, Ancient Civilisations and Monarchy and Democracy. As pupils progress through the school, they encounter the chronological history of Britain, from Stone Age through to the Viking invasions. Through studying our changing history, pupils develop the ability to see differences and similarities through the ages. Within each year, we allow pupils the opportunity to encounter other ancient civilisations which allows a wider understanding of concurrent civilisations and how the wider world was developing. In the final unit, pupils encounter Monarchy and Democracy. 

These topics are delivered through a course of lessons which focus upon:

  • Migration and Settlement 
  • Society
  • Religion
  • Trade
  • Significant Places and People

 

KS1

In KS1, our curriculum focuses on: Significant people, Changes through time and famous events. From the starting point of their own families (Changes through time), pupils begin their journey as historians in KS1. From here, pupils go on to explore the lives of famous people with local, national and international significance. Furthermore, through the use of sources and accounts, pupils will understand famous events such as the Great Fire of London. 

Local history is important to us and our curriculum has been planned to ensure our children can experience and evaluate the rich history of Liverpool.

EYFS

In Reception children follow the educational programmes set out in the EYFS Framework 2021. Children learn through exploring ‘People, Culture and Communties’ and the ‘Past and Present’ strands of the ‘Understanding the World’ area of learning, which is underpinned by Communication and Language. Children are immersed in experiences and activities through a mixture of play based and adult led tasks that ignite their interest for History and events that happened long ago. They explore similarities and differences between their own country, culture and religion and that of others and between events that happen both now and happened in the past. In addition, they will explore and talk about the lives of people; around them and their roles in society.

We believe studying history gives our children the opportunity to:

  • Learn historical facts and dates
  • Learn about historical characters
  • Compare and contrast how people have lived in the past and compare this to modern life.
  • Examine how and why things have changed
  • Be open minded and enquiring thinkers who understand cause and effect
  • Expand their research skills and to develop an understanding of why the world and its people are the way they are today.
  • Most importantly, it prompts children to question as they explore the diversity of human experience, past lives and societies.