History

At Brooklands Primary School, we view History not only as simple facts and dates but encourage pupils to become detectives who explore the past in an exciting way. History is taught mainly through a topic based approach and gives pupils a chance to explore a wide range of sources from which the past may come alive. History allows our children to compare and contrast, to examine how and why things have changed, to learn about historical characters and expand their research skills. We teach children to be open minded and enquiring thinkers who understand cause and effect. We want them to understand how people have lived in the past and compare this to modern life. We encourage first hand experiences through handling real artefacts and wherever possible arranging field work visits to relevant sites of historical interest in the region or bringing in specialists for in-school workshops. 

For KS1, pupils should be taught:

• Changes within living memory
• Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally
• The lives of significant individuals who have contributed to national and international achievements
• Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality

For KS2, pupils should be taught:

• Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
• The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain
• Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots
• A local history study
• The achievements of the earliest civilisations
• Ancient Greece
• A non-European society that provides contrast with British history

In October, every class was introduced to Black history month and learnt why it is so important. Each class choose a category: Inventor, artist, musician, writer/author, scientist, political figure, athlete or pioneer and researched a famous black person from this category and produce a poster of key facts. Some of the classes have embarked on History based topics, look at some the amazing role plays appearing already. The purpose of the new history curriculum is to ensure pupils will think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.