Subject Overview

At Saltergate School, our History curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and deepen children's understanding of the lives of people in the past. Through our structured approach, which includes three strands of knowledge in Key Stage 1 and five in Key Stage 2, we ensure that pupils build upon their learning each year, making meaningful comparisons across different time periods.

Our chronological curriculum takes children on a journey through time, starting over 10,000 years ago in the prehistoric world of the Stone Age and progressing to the more familiar events of 80 years ago, including World War Two. To support their historical awareness, every History book features a world timeline at the front, enabling pupils to regularly reference key events and develop a broad perspective of world history.

EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), history is explored through the ‘Understanding the World’ framework. Children engage with themes such as transport past and present, as well as old and new clothing. Through photographs and discussions, they begin to ask simple questions, recognize similarities and differences between themselves and others, and develop an early understanding of how things change over time.

KS1

In Key Stage 1, children explore the key substantive knowledge threads of change, significance, and achievements.

• Change: Pupils examine changes within living memory, the history of the Olympics, and the impact of George Stephenson. They also compare the lives and contributions of Grace Darling and Rosa Parks.
• Significance: Children study the Great Fire of London through the diary of Samuel Pepys and learn about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Achievements: The focus is on Neil Armstrong and the Space Race, helping pupils understand major milestones in human history.

Throughout these topics, children develop essential disciplinary knowledge, including chronological understanding, historical enquiry skills, and interpretations of history.

KS2

In Key Stage 2, children build on their Key Stage 1 knowledge by exploring five new substantive knowledge threads: childhood, culture, religion, transport, and government & military.

Our chronological curriculum covers significant historical periods, including the Greeks, Romans, and Vikings. Additionally, there is a strong focus on local history, such as the Year 5 water topic, which deepens pupils’ understanding of historical developments in their own community.

As in Key Stage 1, disciplinary knowledge remains a key focus, allowing children to further develop their skills in chronological understanding, historical enquiry, and interpretation of history.