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History: Intent, Implementation and Impact

INTENT

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, History inspires pupils to develop curiosity about the past and to understand how historical events, individuals and societies have shaped the world they live in today. As a key strand within our Character & Arts Curriculum, History enables pupils to explore the stories, struggles and achievements of people from different times and cultures while developing a deeper understanding of their own identity and community.

Our History curriculum is designed to provide pupils with secure knowledge of British, local and world history, while developing the skills needed to think critically about historical evidence and interpretation. Through engaging enquiries and carefully selected historical studies, pupils learn to ask questions, evaluate sources and form reasoned conclusions about the past.

We aim for pupils to develop a strong sense of chronology, understanding how different periods relate to one another and how historical change occurs over time. Pupils explore key concepts such as cause and consequence, continuity and change, similarity and difference and historical significance, enabling them to think like historians.

Our History curriculum ensures pupils:

• Develop secure chronological understanding of key historical periods
• Understand how events and individuals have shaped Britain and the wider world
• Explore local history, including the heritage of Stoke-on-Trent
• Analyse and interpret a range of historical sources and evidence
• Understand historical concepts such as cause and consequence, continuity and change and significance
• Communicate historical knowledge clearly using appropriate vocabulary
• Develop curiosity, empathy and critical thinking through historical enquiry

Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and accessible for all learners, with carefully sequenced knowledge and scaffolded support ensuring every pupil can engage successfully with historical learning.

Character & Arts Alignment

History plays a central role within the Smallthorne Character & Arts curriculum, supporting pupils’ understanding of identity, culture and values.

History contributes to the Character & Arts strands by enabling pupils to:

• Heritage – explore the history of Stoke-on-Trent, including the city’s pottery heritage, Reginald Mitchell and the Spitfire, and links such as Lidice
• History – develop understanding of significant historical events, people and movements
• Performing & Expressive Arts – bring historical stories to life through drama, storytelling and creative interpretation
• Sustainability – explore how societies have responded to challenges and environmental change
• Enterprise – understand how innovation, trade and industry have shaped communities over time

Through studying History, pupils develop empathy, respect and an appreciation for the diverse experiences that have shaped our world.

IMPLEMENTATION

Our History curriculum is taught through carefully sequenced units of learning that build knowledge progressively from EYFS through to Year 6.

Learning is structured around key historical enquiries that encourage pupils to explore the past through questioning, evidence and interpretation.

Curriculum Structure

History teaching focuses on developing four key areas of historical learning:

Chronological Understanding
• Developing a clear understanding of the order of historical events and periods
• Using timelines to place events within a wider historical context

Historical Knowledge
• Learning about significant events, individuals and civilisations
• Understanding how societies have changed over time

Historical Enquiry
• Asking questions about the past
• Investigating sources and evidence
• Interpreting different viewpoints

Interpretation and Communication
• Discussing historical ideas using accurate vocabulary
• Communicating understanding through writing, discussion and creative outcomes

Pupils revisit key concepts regularly so that knowledge is strengthened and connections between historical periods become clearer.

Enquiry-Based Learning

Each historical study begins with a key enquiry question that encourages pupils to investigate and think critically about the past.

Examples of enquiry questions may include:

• What made this person significant?
• How did this event change people’s lives?
• What can we learn from the past today?

Through enquiry, pupils learn to evaluate historical evidence and understand that interpretations of the past may differ.

Local History

Local history plays an important role within the curriculum.

Pupils explore how the history of Stoke-on-Trent and the Potteries connects with national and global historical events. This helps pupils understand how their local community has contributed to wider historical developments.

Local studies may include:

• the pottery industry and its impact on the city
• Reginald Mitchell and the development of the Spitfire
• the Lidice memorial connection with Stoke-on-Trent

These studies help pupils develop a sense of identity and pride in their local heritage.

Creative and Cross-Curricular Learning

History is enriched through creative approaches that help pupils engage deeply with historical ideas.

Pupils may explore historical themes through:

• drama and role play
• historical storytelling
• art and design projects
• creative writing and presentations

History also connects with other subjects including English, Geography, Art and PSHE, enabling pupils to apply knowledge in meaningful contexts.

Inclusion and Adaptive Teaching

All pupils are supported to access History learning through:

• visual resources and historical artefacts
• structured discussion and questioning
• scaffolded tasks and vocabulary support
• collaborative enquiry activities

These approaches ensure pupils with SEND, EAL or additional needs can fully participate in historical learning.

IMPACT

By the time pupils leave Smallthorne Primary Academy, they will:

• Demonstrate secure knowledge of key historical events, individuals and periods
• Understand how historical events are connected across time
• Use evidence to interpret and explain historical ideas
• Communicate historical understanding clearly using appropriate vocabulary
• Show curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about the past
• Understand how history shapes identity, culture and society

Measuring Impact

The impact of the History curriculum is evaluated through:

• pupil work and recorded historical outcomes
• curriculum monitoring and book scrutiny
• pupil voice demonstrating engagement and understanding
• assessment of historical knowledge and enquiry skills
• evidence of chronological understanding and historical vocabulary

Through this approach, pupils develop both historical knowledge and the ability to think critically about the past, enabling them to understand their place within the story of Stoke-on-Trent, Britain and the wider world.

Ultimately, our History curriculum helps pupils become informed, reflective and responsible citizens, living out our school ethos to Smile, Strive and Shine.

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History

History: Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, History forms a vital strand of our Character and Arts Curriculum, helping children to understand how the past has shaped the world they live in today. We believe that learning about history nurtures curiosity, empathy, and respect, enabling pupils to appreciate the stories, struggles and achievements of people from all walks of life.

Our intent is to bring the past to life through creative and character-rich learning experiences that inspire children to think like historians – questioning evidence, exploring different perspectives, and forming their own reasoned conclusions.

We aim for all pupils to:

  • Develop a secure chronological understanding of key periods, events, and individuals that have influenced Britain and the wider world.
  • Make connections between local, national and global history, including the rich heritage of Stoke-on-Trent.
  • Understand cause and consequence, similarity and difference, and continuity and change across time.
  • Build resilience, curiosity, empathy and critical thinking through enquiry and interpretation.
  • Express their historical understanding creatively through art, drama, writing, and digital media, strengthening both knowledge and character.

Implementation

History is taught through a carefully sequenced, topic-based approach that supports both knowledge progression and the development of historical skills from EYFS to Year 6. Each topic is rooted in enquiry, creativity, and character formation.

  • Character-Led Enquiry: Each historical study begins with a key question that encourages curiosity, reflection and moral reasoning (e.g. “Was it fair?”, “How did they show courage?”, “What can we learn from them today?”).
  • Chronological Understanding: Timelines are revisited regularly so pupils can make connections between periods and understand how events fit within a wider historical context.
  • Local Heritage Links: Children explore how local history contributes to the national story, such as the Lidice link to Stoke-on-Trent, Reginald Mitchell and the Spitfire, and the city’s industrial pottery heritage.
  • Arts Integration: The past is brought vividly to life through drama, storytelling, music, visual art and creative writing. Pupils might paint portraits of significant figures, perform historical re-enactments, or create museum-style exhibitions.
  • Inclusive and Accessible: Learning is scaffolded so that all children can achieve success, including those with SEND or EAL, through visuals, artefacts, and experiential learning.
  • Character and Values Development: History lessons foster values such as resilience, fairness, courage and integrity. Pupils reflect on what it means to show these qualities in past and present contexts.
  • Cross-Curricular Links: History is connected to English, Geography, Art and PSHE, ensuring deep learning and reinforcing key skills across the curriculum.

Impact

By the time children leave Smallthorne Primary Academy, they will have developed:

  • Secure Historical Knowledge: An understanding of key events, people and periods that have shaped Britain and the wider world.
  • Critical and Reflective Thinking: The ability to question, analyse and interpret historical sources with curiosity and confidence.
  • Character and Values: A deepened sense of respect, empathy, resilience and moral awareness through studying the triumphs and challenges of humanity.
  • Cultural and Artistic Awareness: The ability to express understanding of history through creative outcomes that demonstrate imagination and insight.
  • A Sense of Identity and Belonging: Recognition of their place within the story of Stoke-on-Trent, Britain and the world, inspired to make a positive difference in their own time.

Impact is measured through pupil voice, creative outcomes, assessment of historical enquiry and evidence in books and displays. The success of History teaching is evident in children who not only know about the past but learn from it – living out our school ethos to Smile, Strive, Shine as informed, thoughtful citizens of the future.

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