Barnwell Academy

Our History Curriculum

At Barnwell Academy, our history curriculum helps children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain's past and that of the wider world. Children are taught to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement. This helps children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and challenges of their time. They understand and apply historical concepts such as continuity and change and use them to make connections or draw contrasts.

 History is blocked once per term and is taught discretely each week in coherently planned, sequential and progressive steps.  A range of overview and depth studies help pupils understand both the long arc of development and the complexity of specific aspects of the content.

 Lessons provide opportunities to develop chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, local and world history. They establish clear narratives within and across periods studied and note connections, contrasts, change, and trends over time. Children also have the opportunity to extract information and question the reliability of a range of sources and answer historical enquiry questions. They develop an awareness of the past, using an increasing range of vocabulary.

 It is our belief that the impact of our high expectations allows children understand how the world has developed into what it is today. They gain a greater understanding and perspective by enabling them to place their growing knowledge into different contexts. The skills and knowledge they develop equips them for lifelong learning and to participate as global citizens in our world.

History Curriculum