History & Geography

‘A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.’ — Marcus Garvey

“I like learning about the Anglo-Saxons because they have a really good place in history. I like looking at the different artefacts.” Year 3

Intent

At St Joseph’s we endeavour to provide a broad curriculum where History will be used to enrich the pupils’ understanding of where they have come from within the wider global community. They will be used to develop a love for learning about their past, and develop their hopes for the future. 

In History, the pupils should develop investigative skills from the wonder of what happened before. Their knowledge will be led by their own inquisitiveness, which should lead them to what they want to know. They will be exposed to a rich set of topics in order for them to want to find out more on their own. They will have a strong understanding of the history of where they live, and where they have come from.

Implementation

At St. Josephs we want our children to be inspired to think as Historians. The curriculum is organised to address themes that are relevant to the local environment. The children will follow a chronological programme of study that helps them to place historical events in context. We aim to develop a curiosity to know more about the past with the ability to ask questions, think critically and develop perspective and a point of view. Within our unique and rich multicultural community, we aim to provide the basis for a common canon of historical knowledge and understanding that can be deepened and extended as the children progress through our schools.

Impact

As children leave St. Josephs, they will learn about different periods of history which will have been carefully linked to other areas of study, in particular literacy and geography. Children will know about historical events through carefully planned lessons that help them to make connections between events. They will know how to use external resources, know about their local history as well as have the opportunity to participate in educational visits. The impact of the history curriculum will be measured through pupil voice, standards and quality of assessments and recording of learning. 

 

“I looked at books, I looked at maps, I looked at atlases, I enjoyed that, but the thing that inspired me most of all was being taken from the school into the local area to look at nature, ” Michael Palin

Intent

At St Joseph’s we endeavour to provide a broad curriculum where the pupils will develop the knowledge and skills to ensure they have an understanding of how the world works. They will learn to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length. Children will use technology to deepen understanding of the world. They will also learn about our place in the universe and climate change.

As pupils progress, their growing knowledge of the world will deepen their understanding of the interaction between the physical and human processes and the consequences of that interaction on landscapes and environments.

Implementation

Our curriculum is designed so that learning is built on over time. Our planning is sequential with connectivity to other subjects. Lessons assure lively, effective and appropriate learning. Lessons are taught with depth with a clear purpose for learning.  Our pupils are aware of the disadvantages suffered in other countries and work hard supporting charities to overcome these geographical differences.

Children will be taught geography in tandem with history, and all possible links between the two disciplines will be exploited. Children will build on map-making and visualisation skills learned in Key Stage One, and be pushed to use increasingly complicated language to explain their understanding and what they have learned. They will be challenged to use geographical-specific language in learning so that they can explain what they remember. Where necessary, trips are planned to enhance their learning, and experience in the subject.

Impact

 Children will be assessed by learning reviews, evidence of learning recorded, and pupil voice. They will be regularly challenged by teachers to explain what they have learned and remembered.

Standards and quality of children’s learning is evaluated through learning reviews, knowledge assessments and their written work.