Cardinham School

History at Cardinham

Intent

At Cardinham School, we aim to inspire a curiosity and enthusiasm for history by helping children develop a love of learning about the past and an understanding of how it has shaped the world we live in today. Our curriculum provides pupils with a coherent and chronological understanding of Britain's history and that of the wider world. Through the study of significant events, people and civilisations, alongside meaningful local history enquiries, children develop a strong sense of their place within a wider historical narrative.

We encourage children to think critically as historians, developing their understanding of key disciplinary concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, significance, evidence and interpretation. By exploring historical questions and evaluating a range of sources, pupils learn to construct informed arguments, make connections across periods of time and develop an appreciation of how the past influences the present.

Implementation

History is taught through carefully planned units delivered throughout the year, allowing children to develop depth of knowledge and understanding. Our curriculum is designed to ensure clear progression in both substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills across all year groups. Lessons are enriched through enquiry-based learning, encouraging children to ask questions, investigate evidence and draw their own conclusions.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, historical understanding is developed through the Understanding the World area of learning, where children explore past and present events within their own lives, families and communities.

Teachers plan lessons around:

A stimulating enquiry question that drives learning throughout the unit.
A knowledge organiser containing the key facts, concepts and vocabulary pupils are expected to learn and retain.
KWL grids to assess prior knowledge and capture learning across the unit.
A sequenced series of lessons that build knowledge progressively and develop historical enquiry skills.
Regular retrieval practice and low-stakes quizzes to strengthen long-term memory.
Opportunities to analyse historical sources and consider different interpretations.
Educational visits, visitors and local learning opportunities that enhance historical understanding.
Study of a diverse range of significant individuals, events and civilisations.
Meaningful use of the local area to deepen children's understanding of history within their own community.

Learning is evidenced in a variety of ways, including written work, artwork, photographs, presentations, discussions and practical outcomes. Planning is informed by and aligned with the National Curriculum, while also reflecting the unique context of Cardinham and Cornwall.

Impact

The impact of our history curriculum is evident in the knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm that children develop as young historians. Pupils leave Cardinham School with a secure chronological understanding of the past, the ability to think critically about historical evidence and a genuine curiosity about the world around them.

We evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum through:

Retrieval quizzes and regular recall activities that demonstrate retained knowledge.
Pupil voice discussions and learning conferences.
Ongoing formative assessment by class teachers.
Review of knowledge organisers, KWL grids and assessment activities.
Monitoring of children's work to ensure progression in both historical knowledge and enquiry skills.
The quality of children's outcomes and their ability to communicate, explain and justify their historical understanding.
Observations of children's engagement, confidence and enthusiasm when discussing historical topics.
Subject leader monitoring, book scrutiny and curriculum review.

As a result, our pupils develop the knowledge, skills and cultural understanding needed to become thoughtful, informed citizens who appreciate the significance of the past and its impact on the present and future.