History
Our Intent
History is an integral part of Sholing Junior School’s curriculum, where a range of carefully sequenced lessons allow children to gain a coherent knowledge of the past. Within the history curriculum, we recognise the importance of first-hand learning experiences, through educational trips and visitors, which not only develop a deeper understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world, but also inspire all children to become lifelong learners. Our school values of kindness, curiosity and success are woven throughout history lessons. Kindness is nurtured by encouraging children to show empathy and respect when exploring diverse societies and perspectives, helping them to understand the importance of compassion across time. Curiosity is fostered through opportunities to examine, interpret and evaluate a variety of sources, enabling children to question, investigate and make thoughtful deductions about the past. Success is achieved as children develop confidence in their historical knowledge and skills, becoming creative and critical thinkers who can connect the process of change, the diversity of societies, and the relationships between different groups to their own identity and the challenges of their time. Alongside our learning behaviours, British Values are embedded into the history curriculum, promoting mutual respect, tolerance, individual liberty, rule of law and democracy. Strong cross-curricular links are identified to further contextualise and deepen learning, ensuring that our values underpin every aspect of historical study.
Implementation
At Sholing Junior School, History is taught as a discrete subject for one and a half terms each academic year, with weekly lessons that are carefully planned and sequenced to build knowledge and skills progressively. This structure ensures that children revisit and deepen their understanding of key historical concepts while making meaningful connections across topics.
Teaching is designed to be engaging and interactive, combining direct instruction with opportunities for enquiry, discussion and hands-on exploration. Children investigate a wide range of sources, including artefacts, texts, and multimedia, to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Educational visits and visitors enrich the curriculum, bringing history to life and inspiring curiosity.
Our school values of kindness, curiosity and success are embedded throughout history lessons. Kindness is fostered by encouraging empathy and respect when exploring diverse societies and perspectives. Curiosity is nurtured through questioning, investigating evidence and exploring how the past is interpreted. Success is achieved as children gain confidence in their historical knowledge, develop strong enquiry skills, and present their findings in a variety of ways.