History
Our history curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, develop critical thinking, and foster a deep respect for the past. Through engaging and meaningful learning experiences, we equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and historical perspective to understand the world around them.
Our Vision for History
We believe that history is more than a collection of dates and events—it is the study of people, societies, and the forces that have shaped our world. By exploring key historical themes such as power and governance, movement of people, society and culture, innovation and industry, and conflict and consequence, pupils develop a secure chronological understanding and the ability to draw connections across different periods.
Our curriculum is carefully structured to ensure that children revisit and deepen their understanding of these key historical concepts as they progress through the school. We encourage pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, and consider multiple perspectives to develop a well-rounded understanding of the past.
Our Approach to Teaching History
- Engagement Through Enquiry-Based Learning: Each history unit is built around an overarching key question, encouraging pupils to investigate, discuss, and form their own interpretations based on historical evidence.
- Progression of Knowledge and Skills: Our curriculum builds progressively from personal and local history in Reception and Key Stage 1 to national and global history in Key Stage 2, ensuring a coherent journey through time.
- Diverse Perspectives and Inclusivity: We explore the lives of individuals and communities from different backgrounds, ensuring history reflects the richness and diversity of Britain and the wider world.
- Developing Historical Thinking: Pupils learn how to analyse sources, evaluate reliability, and understand how history is interpreted differently over time.
History and Our School Values
At Greenhill, our history curriculum is deeply connected to our core school values:
Engagement: Pupils actively explore history through discussion, debate, and hands-on enquiry, fostering curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Respect: By studying different cultures, societies, and historical figures, pupils develop an appreciation for diversity and the contributions of people from different backgrounds.
Resilience: Pupils learn about historical struggles, challenges, and perseverance, developing their own ability to think critically, problem-solve, and engage with difficult topics.
Honesty: Pupils explore how history is recorded and interpreted, learning to question bias, recognise propaganda, and seek the truth in historical narratives.
Kindness: By understanding the consequences of historical events and the impact of conflict, pupils develop empathy and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Promoting British Values Through History
Our history curriculum plays a vital role in developing pupils’ understanding of British Values, which are embedded throughout their learning:
Democracy: Pupils explore the origins of democracy in Ancient Greece and learn about key democratic movements, such as the Suffragettes.
The Rule of Law: Pupils examine how laws and justice have evolved, from Anglo-Saxon justice systems to modern policing and government.
Individual Liberty: Pupils study historical struggles for freedom, such as World War II, and the fight for civil rights.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance: Through exploring migration, religious tolerance, and different cultures, pupils develop an understanding of Britain’s diverse history and the importance of respecting different beliefs and backgrounds.
Supporting UNICEF Rights of the Child
Our history curriculum supports the UNICEF Rights of the Child, ensuring pupils understand their rights and responsibilities as global citizens. Key connections include:
Article 2 (Non-Discrimination): By studying historical inequalities, pupils learn the importance of fairness and inclusion.
Article 12 (Respect for Children’s Views): Pupils are encouraged to express opinions on historical events and figures through debate and enquiry.
Article 17 (Access to Reliable Information): Pupils develop skills in evaluating sources and recognising bias, ensuring they can seek the truth.
Article 28 (Right to Education): Through studying the history of education, pupils learn about access to learning across different societies.
Article 38 (Protection in War): By learning about conflict, peacekeeping, and war, pupils gain an understanding of the impact of war on children and communities.
Our History Curriculum in Action
From learning about Grace O’Malley’s leadership in Year 1 to exploring the migration of people to Britain in Year 6, pupils develop a strong foundation in historical understanding. Reception children begin their historical journey by exploring their own personal history and how life has changed over time. As they move through the school, they engage with significant historical events, figures, and movements that have shaped Britain and the world.
By the time pupils leave Greenhill, they will have gained:
✔ A secure chronological framework of key events and periods.
✔ The ability to question and interpret historical sources critically.
✔ A broad awareness of British and world history, including migration, empire, innovation, and societal change.
✔ A deep understanding of how history connects to their own lives and the modern world.
Through our rich and engaging history curriculum, we aim to develop curious, knowledgeable, and reflective historians who are ready to navigate the complexities of the past and the challenges of the future.