History at Sandown
At Sandown Primary, the key aspects and concepts of History, such as chronology, cause and effect, similarity and difference, significance and hierarchy, are taught through projects. To see the projects taught across the school, please take a look at our History Curriculum Overview. These key aspects and historical concepts are revisited throughout the year-group projects and developed over time to increase children’s knowledge.
All projects taught at Sandown help develop children’s historical skills through evidence-based historical enquiry. The choice of historical periods follows the guidance set out in the national curriculum, with specific details on significant events and individuals selected to present a rich and diverse account of British and world history.
At Sandown, the children’s learning in History is further enriched by linking it to other subjects in the wider curriculum, giving them a fuller understanding of the topic under study. For example, the Year 5 project ‘Dynamic Dynasties’ is taught alongside the art and design project ‘Taotie’ to give children a better all-round understanding of ancient Chinese arts and culture.
Nursery and Reception:
In the Early Years, children will explore the past through pictures, books, stories, rhymes and visitors. They will draw on their own experiences and talk about past events in their own lives and those who are important to them. Children will begin to understand that the past is made up of events that have already happened. They will also begin comparing aspects of their current lives with those from the past. The ELG (what is expected at the end of Reception) that links closely to History is “Past and Present”. Before this, children are taught through ‘Understanding the World’.
Please see our ‘History In Early Years’ document for more information.
Years 1 and 2:
The projects studied in Key Stage 1 provide opportunities for children to explore significant historical events, people, and places, both in their locality and across the UK.
In Year 1, children begin the autumn term by studying the project ‘The Great Fire of London’. Children learn what London was like in the 1600s, when the Great Fire began, and how it changed London forever. In the summer term, children study the project ‘Schools Then, Schools Now’. This project enables children to learn about Sandown’s history and compare it with schools in Victorian times.
In the autumn term of Year 2, children learn about ‘Flight through time’. During this project, children learn about the history of flight. In the summer term, the project is ‘Titanic Tragedy’. This project will help the children to answer the question: Why is the sinking of the Titanic still remembered today?
Years 3 and 4:
In Year 3, children begin the autumn term by studying the chronology of British history in the project ‘Through the Ages’. This project teaches children about the significance of prehistoric periods and the changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. In the summer term, children continue to develop their knowledge of the chronology of British history in the project ‘Emperors and Empires’. This project teaches children about the Roman Empire, its invasion of Britain and Britain’s ensuing Romanisation.
In the autumn term of Year 4, children resume their learning about British history in the project Invasion. This project teaches children about the Roman withdrawal and the Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions and settlements. This project concludes at 1066, which meets the guidance from the national curriculum for British history. In the summer term of Year 4, children begin their studies of ancient history by studying the overview project ‘Ancient Civilisations’. This project enables children to learn about the achievements of the earliest civilisations, including ancient Sumer, the Indus Valley civilisation and ancient Egypt.
Years 5 and 6:
In the autumn term of Year 5, children continue to build their knowledge of ancient civilisations with an in-depth analysis of ancient China in the project ‘Dynamic Dynasties’. This project enables children to study the significance and influence of ancient China and its prowess and advancements in the written word, technology and metalwork. In the summer term, children further study ancient and world history in the project ‘Groundbreaking Greeks’. This project enables children to explore life in ancient Greece, including the achievements and influence of the ancient Greek civilisation on the Western world.
In the autumn term of Year 6, children study the more complex historical issues of enslavement, colonialism and power in the project Maafa. In this project, children explore a range of African kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Benin, and study Britain’s role in the development, perpetuation and abolition of the slave trade. In the summer term of Year 6, children complete their historical studies with the project Britain at War. This project enables children to study the role of war in British history since 1066, with a focus on the First and Second World Wars as pivotal turning points.
We also hold different celebration days throughout the year for the groups to celebrate our History learning. Reception hold a Grandparents Day and create a museum for the children to explore. Year 3 has a Stone Age Day, Year 4 holds an Egyptian Day, Year 5 has a Greek Day, and Year 6 has a World War 2 Refugee Day.
For additional information about this subject, please contact the school office and ask to speak to the subject leader.
