History
vision
We believe that the study and teaching of History inspires and motivates children’s eagerness, encourages them to ask critical questions and enables them to have a better understanding of the diverse society in which they live and that of the diverse wider world. It helps gain a sense of their own uniqueness, identity within a social, cultural, political and economic background. Our historians are always keen to understand what particular skill they are learning in History at the start of the session, whether it be chronology, events, people and changes, interpretation, enquiry and using sources or communication and vocabulary. At Ashton we want all children to fluently understand, navigate and analyze the past through access to high quality sources and inspiring experiences.
intent
Our intention at Ashton is to ensure that teachers progressively cover the skills and concepts required in the National Curriculum. Within the structure of the National Curriculum, we study - wherever possible - the history that relates most closely to us and our specific setting. For example: children in Year 2 study local suffragette Edith Rigby and, in Year 6, children learn about Lancashire's role in the Industrial Revolution and it's broader legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. We aim to create historically literate individuals, who can understand the past, and their place within it. In addition to this, they will be able to understand how to explore and interpret the past in a manner like real historians.
implementation
In order to develop well-rounded historians, we aim to develop several key skills in their interpretation of the past. These skills are:
Chronology
Characteristics of the Era
Change and Continuity
Cause and Consequence
Significance
Interpretation of Sources
Historical Enquiry
In order to develop these skills as best as possible, children will have access to a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including the work of historians and experts in their field.
In addition to this, we prioritise a depth and range of historical knowledge. In EYFS and KS1 children are introduced to some of the key historical skills that they will need in KS2. Once in KS2 our curriculum has a more chronological structure, with children learning about the earliest days of human civilization in Year 3, through to more modern topics and complex themes by the time they reach Year 6, such as the Industrial Revolution and Second World War.
impact
The impact of the history curriculum is measured via formative assessment each lesson. Children will be expected to use historical vocabulary correctly, and to demonstrate the range of historical skills listed in the subject implementation. Knowledge and vocabulary will be re-capped week on week to ensure that the historical content, as well as the historical skills, are embedded.
our curriculum overview
recent news
Rigby Class (Year 2) had the chance to meet their namesake - Edith Rigby when she came to visit our school and tell us all about her role in the WSPU - Women's Social and Political Union (The Suffragettes). She brought many artefacts for the children to explore, including money from her time, clogs that people wore and signs used in protests. She told us stories of her time as a suffragette and how she fought for women's right to the vote. We were stunned to learn that she was arrested 7 times and would often go on hunger strike when she was in prison. We found Edith inspirational and Year 2 are proud to have their class named after her!