History Vision 2025 – 2026
Our Approach to Teaching History
At St Catharine’s School, our History curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity about the past while nurturing children as young historians with a drive to explore and examine evidence. Our learning is logically sequenced to ensure pupils build a coherent mental timeline and a deep understanding of historical concepts.
Our curriculum ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum and clear progression in both substantive knowledge (facts and dates) and disciplinary skills (analysis and evidence). Each unit focuses on key historical periods and figures, allowing children to explore diverse cultures and civilizations. By revisiting themes like power, invasion, and daily life, pupils develop the ability to make meaningful connections across different eras.
We prioritise “knowing more and remembering more” through inclusive teaching that allows every child to achieve. Learning is enriched by the use of primary sources, artefacts, and local history links, fostering a sense of identity and place alongside school trips to bring history to life. History is celebrated across the school often linked to English texts being studied to further develop the understanding of key periods in time.
Our Core Aim for all Pupils
Our core aim is to nurture curious, critical, and reflective historians who can explore the past with objectivity and insight. With an emphasis on high-quality historical enquiry, we encourage pupils to develop their ability to observe evidence and evaluate sources using precise historical vocabulary to discuss their findings.
Rooted in our Catholic values, we aim to inspire children to appreciate the diverse narrative of God’s creation and to recognise the inherent dignity of all people throughout history. Pupils are encouraged to work thoughtfully and respectfully, valuing the complexity of different perspectives and the lessons the past offers for our common future.
Through studying influential figures and civilisations, our pupils:
- Develop a coherent understanding of how the past communicates meaning and reflects the growth of cultures.
- Contribute to the wider community by understanding their own place within a local and global historical context.
- Build “substantive knowledge”(facts and chronology) alongside “disciplinary skills” (analysis and use of evidence), ensuring they are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
