At St Michael’s CE Primary School we foster an understanding of the past, and our place in time is at the heart of learning. We are proud of our enquiry based approach to the curriculum which is underpinned by the National Curriculum and extends beyond this to meet the needs and interests of our children.

History is taught broadly chronologically at KS2, which ensures that children have a solid foundation and overview of some of the most important periods, events, people and concepts in British and world history. It has been planned to embed an understanding of our country’s diverse past and make links with our local history wherever possible. 

Our history curriculum ensures that Historical knowledge and both substantive and disciplinary concepts are carefully blended together through planning, teaching and enrichment activities to ensure maximum impact. We teach through an enquiry based approach where children can use their skills to investigate and reflect upon the past and comment on their predictions for the future. 

Every year group builds upon the learning from prior year groups to ensure a depth of understanding and progression of skills.

There are seven key strands, which inform the structure and teaching of our history curriculum:

• Chronology

• Similarity and difference

• Cause and effect

• Significance Change

• Use of sources

• Communication of ideas. 

Effective use of educational visits and visitors are planned to enrich and provide first-hand learning experiences for pupils. Teachers make the most of our location in one of the world’s greatest cities to organise trips to places such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and The London Transport Museum.