History

History Coordinator: Mrs McCann

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” - Marcus Garvey

The Strands of the History National Curriculum

Know and understand the history of these islands as a coherent, chronological narrative, from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world
Know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the nature of ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires; characteristic features of past non-European societies; achievements and follies of mankind
Gain and deploy a historically grounded understanding of abstract terms such as ‘empire’, ‘civilisation’, ‘parliament’ and ‘peasantry’
Understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance, and use them to make connections, draw contrasts, analyse trends, frame historically-valid questions and create their own structured accounts, including written narratives and analyses
Understand the methods of historical enquiry, including how evidence is used rigorously to make historical claims, and discern how and why contrasting arguments and interpretations of the past have been constructed
Gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history; and between short- and long-term timescales.

Our Vision for History at Eaves

At Eaves, our vision for History is to develop curious, knowledgeable and thoughtful historians who understand how the past has shaped the world in which they live today. Our curriculum is intentionally designed to help children develop a strong sense of chronology, change, continuity, cause and consequence, while encouraging them to ask questions, examine evidence and recognise that our understanding of the past is constructed from different sources and perspectives.

Our History curriculum reflects our Eaves Curriculum Model – “Roots in our community - Reach into the wider world.” Children develop their understanding of their own identity and heritage through learning about Eaves, St Helens, Merseyside and significant events within their locality, before making connections with British, European and wider world history. In doing so, children develop strong roots while opening windows onto people, societies, beliefs and cultures beyond their own experience.

Building Knowledge Through Time

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that historical knowledge is revisited, connected and progressively deepened. Children develop an increasingly secure chronological framework, enabling them to place new learning within what they already know and make meaningful connections between different periods.

As children progress through school, they encounter an increasingly rich range of historical periods and civilisations, from early human history and ancient civilisations through to significant developments in British and world history. Children are encouraged to consider what changed, what remained the same, why events happened and what consequences followed, moving beyond simply remembering historical facts to developing a deeper understanding of the past.

Historical enquiry is central to this journey. Children learn to work with artefacts, photographs, written accounts, maps and other historical sources, asking questions about what evidence can tell us and recognising that sources may present different perspectives. This helps children become increasingly critical and independent thinkers.

Local History, Identity & Belonging

Our locality provides an important starting point for understanding the past. Children explore aspects of local history and heritage, helping them recognise that national and global events have affected the lives of people within their own community.

This connection between local, national and global history helps children understand that history happened to real people in real places – including the places they see around them today. It develops a sense of identity, belonging and pride in their community, while encouraging children to look beyond their own experiences and understand the lives and perspectives of others.

History Beyond the Classroom – Trips, Visits & Cultural Capital

We believe history should be experienced as well as studied. Educational visits, museums, historical sites, visitors, artefacts and first-hand experiences enrich our curriculum and develop children's cultural capital, bringing periods of history to life and giving children experiences upon which future learning can be built.

Where possible, children encounter the historical heritage of St Helens, Merseyside and the wider region, alongside experiences that broaden their understanding of British and world history. These opportunities provide the windows and doors within our Curriculum Model, enabling all children to encounter places, stories and experiences that may extend beyond those available in their everyday lives.

Oracy Through History

Oracy is an important part of History at Eaves. Children learn to talk like historians, using increasingly precise historical vocabulary to describe periods, explain cause and consequence, compare evidence and justify interpretations. Through purposeful discussion, debate and enquiry, children learn to ask thoughtful questions, listen to different viewpoints and use historical evidence to support what they say. This helps children develop both their historical understanding and their confidence as articulate, critical thinkers.

Ultimately, we want Eaves children to understand that the past helps us make sense of the present. They should leave us with secure historical knowledge, an appreciation of their own heritage and the curiosity and critical-thinking skills needed to continue exploring the people, events and ideas that have shaped our world.

Explore. Question. Investigate. Interpret. Connect. Remember. Understand. – History The Eaves Way.