History
At Belmont CE Primary School, we promote an enquiry-based approach that fosters curiosity and a genuine enthusiasm for learning about the past. We believe that history offers a window into the past, helping children understand the present and consider how individuals, nations, and global communities may develop in the future.
The study of history enables our pupils to explore how societies have evolved and to examine the cultural, political and social factors that have shaped the world. Through our rich and engaging History curriculum, we aim to ignite children’s interest by immersing them in meaningful topics that span local, national, and international contexts. They will gain a broad understanding of significant people, events, and civilisations that have influenced the course of history.
We are committed to inspiring children to explore their own place in the historical narrative and to make sense of the world around them. Alongside developing strong historical knowledge, there is a clear focus on building key historical skills. Pupils are encouraged to think like historians, engaging in enquiry, evaluating sources, and considering cause and consequence, significance and change over time.
Curriculum Rationale
Our history curriculum is tailored to the context of our school. We operate a carefully structured two-year rolling programme that ensures full National Curriculum coverage and clear progression in both historical knowledge and skills, while responding effectively to the needs of mixed-age classes. We are committed to broadening our pupils’ perspectives by deliberately including diverse histories and global viewpoints, helping them to develop empathy, cultural awareness and a strong sense of social responsibility.
By the end of Year 6, our pupils will be equipped with the historical understanding, vocabulary and enquiry skills needed to succeed at Key Stage 3. Learning is enriched through a variety of classroom activities, visits, and experiences with visitors, providing valuable opportunities for first-hand learning and deepening historical understanding.
At Belmont CE Primary School, History is taught through a carefully sequenced and enquiry-led curriculum that is both knowledge-rich and inclusive. Our curriculum is designed around a two-year rolling programme, reflecting our 1.5 form entry structure, to ensure full National Curriculum coverage and continuity of learning for all pupils across mixed-age classes. Units are strategically sequenced to build chronological understanding and revisit key historical concepts and events, allowing children to make meaningful connections over time.
Each unit is driven by an enquiry question, which frames the learning and provides a purposeful context for acquiring both substantive knowledge (what happened) and disciplinary knowledge (how we know about the past). Children develop a secure understanding of key historical concepts such as change and continuity, cause and consequence, significance and evidence and interpretation. These concepts are introduced early and revisited frequently through age-appropriate content across Key Stages 1 and 2.
Progression in historical knowledge, skills and vocabulary is mapped across year groups, ensuring children build upon prior learning and revisit important ideas in increasingly sophisticated ways. Vocabulary is explicitly taught and reinforced through retrieval practice and oral discussion. This enables pupils to develop both historical fluency and the confidence to articulate their ideas with precision. Teachers use frequent retrieval to support retention and understanding, particularly for more abstract concepts and timelines. High-quality teaching is supported by a wide range of resources including primary and secondary sources, artefacts, timelines, first-person narratives and digital tools. Our teaching model promotes active enquiry, critical thinking and rich discussion, with pupils encouraged to challenge and debate interpretations of the past. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners: tasks are scaffolded for those who need support. To deepen and enrich classroom learning, we provide memorable, real-world experiences such as visits to museums, heritage sites (e.g. Durham Cathedral, Beamish), and workshops with local historians. These experiences bring the past to life, spark curiosity, and help children embed their learning in long-term memory. Local history is also woven throughout the curriculum to develop community pride and a strong sense of place.
Our curriculum is fully inclusive, ensuring all pupils have access to high-quality historical learning. We are committed to teaching a broad and representative history, exposing children to diverse people, places, and experiences. Through thoughtful curriculum choices and inclusive pedagogy, all pupils—regardless of background or need—are able to engage with and enjoy the subject.
By teaching History in this way, we develop thoughtful, analytical learners who can apply historical knowledge and concepts to the world around them. Pupils leave Belmont C of E Primary School with the skills to investigate, question, interpret and reflect ready for the demands of Key Stage 3 and empowered to understand and shape the world they live in.
History in EYFS
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