History
Intent
At Helmsley, we aim to inspire children’s curiosity about the past and help them understand how history shapes our world today.
From EYFS onwards, children build key knowledge and vocabulary through ‘Understanding the World’, which lays the foundation for chronological understanding and historical enquiry in Key Stages 1 and 2.
Our curriculum enables children to:
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Develop a secure sense of chronology and identity
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Understand key concepts such as cause and consequence, change and continuity
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Learn about significant people, events and societies in Britain and the wider world
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Ask meaningful historical questions and evaluate sources
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Use and apply historical vocabulary with confidence
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Recognise how history links to British Values and our personal choices today
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Enjoy immersive learning through visits, theme days and stories
Implementation
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History is taught in topic blocks across the year, following a clear sequence of knowledge and skills aligned with the National Curriculum.
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Children have topic books containing knowledge overviews, evidence of learning and end-of-unit quizzes.
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Displays reinforce vocabulary and celebrate learning.
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Lessons are inclusive, with content consistent across the class and delivery adapted as needed.
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Both substantive knowledge (key facts) and disciplinary knowledge (how history is studied) are taught through storytelling, discussion, and enquiry.
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Key concepts are revisited over time to ensure deep, connected understanding.
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Real-life contexts, visitors and local history projects bring learning to life and build a lasting love of the subject.
