Intent - What does our History curriculum intend to do?
At Westfield, our history curriculum aims to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past and help them develop a strong understanding of how people, events, and societies have shaped the world we live in today. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum based on the National Curriculum, children develop a secure sense of chronology and explore significant local, British, and world history.
We encourage pupils to think critically, ask questions, analyse evidence, and understand that interpretations of the past can differ. By learning about a diverse range of people, civilisations, and historical events, children develop respect, empathy, and an appreciation of how the past influences the present and future. Our aim is for all pupils to leave Westfield with a lasting interest in history and the skills to become informed, reflective citizens.
Implementation - How is the History curriculum implemented?
At Westfield, history is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds pupils’ knowledge, skills, and understanding over time. Learning is organised chronologically where appropriate, enabling children to make connections between different periods of history and develop a secure understanding of historical concepts such as cause and consequence, change and continuity, significance, and interpretation.
Lessons are planned to progressively develop pupils’ disciplinary knowledge as historians, encouraging them to ask questions, analyse a range of historical sources, evaluate evidence, and form their own conclusions. Key knowledge and vocabulary are revisited regularly to strengthen long-term memory and deepen understanding.
Through the study of local, British, and world history, children engage with a diverse range of historical periods, people, and civilisations. Enrichment opportunities, educational visits, artefacts, high-quality texts, and cross-curricular links help bring history to life and make learning meaningful. This approach ensures that all pupils develop a rich understanding of the past and the skills needed to think critically as young historians.
Impact - What progress will children make?
Through our history curriculum, pupils develop a strong understanding of the past and how it has shaped the world around them. They gain secure chronological knowledge, make connections between different historical periods, and understand key concepts such as change, continuity, cause and consequence, and significance.
Pupils become confident historians who can ask thoughtful questions, analyse and interpret evidence, and draw informed conclusions. They develop a rich historical vocabulary and can communicate their knowledge effectively. Through learning about a diverse range of people, events, and civilisations, children gain a greater appreciation of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
By the time pupils leave Westfield, they are knowledgeable, curious, and reflective learners with a lasting interest in history and the skills to engage critically with the world around them.
