History
At Elson Infant School, we aim to teach a high quality History curriculum which inspires curiosity about both Britain’s past and that of the wider world. History is taught in blocks as part of a topic, focusing on the skills stated in the National Curriculum. We follow the Hampshire Six Step Enquiry Approach as advised by the Hampshire History Team.
As a school we follow the National Curriculum Guidance which specifies:
– pupils develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time.
– pupils learn where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods.
– pupils learn to use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms and are taught to ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events.
– pupils are taught to understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past.
Pupils are taught about:
– Changes within living memory.
– Events beyond living memory that are nationally or globally significant.
– the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements.
– significant historical events, people and places in our locality.
Progression of Skills
History at Elson Infant School is carefully planned and tracked to ensure broad coverage with the opportunity to revisit and build on key concepts and skills each year. Across the key stages, we follow the golden thread of ‘same and different’, using these to compare a range of events and individuals. Whilst at Elson Infant School, the children will also have the opportunity to conduct a local area study. This allows the children to explore the area we live in whilst also understanding the role that Gosport played during WW2 and D-day.
Year R focus very much on themselves and their lives. They talk about the lives of people around them and share their Scrapbooks all about their family. Children begin to think about similarities and differences between things in the past and now, with pictures and books being the main drivers for this. They also use books to develop their understanding of the past through settings, characters and events. The Year R environment and Continuous Provision activities lay the foundations of key historical skills and concepts in their play.
Year 1 build on these skills and explore changes within living memory by thinking about how toys have changed. They learn about the Gunpowder Plot and explore why Guy Fawkes acted as he did and talk about the consequences of his actions. Children also begin to develop skills by comparing the lives of Neil Armstrong and Tim Peake.
Year 2 continue to develop their skills by looking at significant individuals and events from within and beyond living memory. They learn about the Great Fire of London and explore whether it could happen today. The children also explore the sinking of the titanic, looking at artefacts and survivor recounts to understand the period of time and what life may have been like.
Subject Highlights
Remembrance Day Nov 2023
Armed Forces Day Jun 2023
