History
At St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, our aim is to develop children’s experiences and understanding of History, igniting their curiosity about the past. We use Dimensions to plan our History Curriculum across the Key stages, so that our pupils develop, over time, the essential characteristics of Historians and giving all students a broad and balanced view of the History of Britain and other societies. Pupils will develop a well-rounded knowledge of the past and its events, with intention to improve every students’ cultural capital, understanding of the world around them and their own heritage.
History at St Mary Magdalene aims to be ambitious and motivating, through engaging activities, trips and visitors that give all students an opportunity to question the past.
Our curriculum aims
We strive for our pupils to:
- gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of their country’s past and that of the wider world
- develop an understanding of the complexity of people’s lives in different times and places
- explore cause and consequence, identifying catalysts for change, the effects on societies and reasons for developments
- develop a curiosity, leading them to ask relevant questions and think critically when searching for answers
- recognise similarities and differences between periods in history and see how the past has shaped the present
- explore diversity within societies and the relationships between different groups over time
- gain historical knowledge and skills that are developed through analysing and judging different sources of evidence and understanding its importance when piecing together the past
- view events from different perspectives, leading to greater empathy and understanding of events and situations
- not simply see the past through the lens of the present, but to understand how values and attitudes have changed over time
- see the ‘big picture’ of the historical narrative through chronology, enabling
pupils to make connections made between different periods from the past and the present. - interpret events and actions from the past in a balanced way
- learn about history through investigating and asking questions about the past, present and future
- explore how the world has changed, the processes involved and the impact and legacy of change
- make sense of the present through looking at the past, in a coherent way
- to engage with the subject in a creative and critical way, thinking about change, both locally and globally, and the implications for the future