At St Mary’s, History is a vibrant and inspiring part of our curriculum. We want every child to develop curiosity about the past and an understanding of how historical events, people and civilisations have shaped the world we live in today. Rooted in our Catholic ethos, our History curriculum encourages children to reflect on values such as justice, compassion, courage and perseverance as they learn about significant moments and individuals throughout time.
Our teaching follows the National Curriculum and is supported by the KAPOW mixed‑age scheme, ensuring that all pupils—regardless of year group—experience a well‑sequenced, ambitious and engaging History education. Children build secure chronological understanding, develop historical vocabulary and learn to investigate the past using a wide range of sources including artefacts, photographs, written accounts and digital materials.
History at St Mary’s is enquiry‑led. Each unit is shaped around key questions that encourage children to think critically, analyse evidence and form their own interpretations. Retrieval practice, timelines, discussion and hands‑on exploration help pupils deepen their knowledge and make meaningful connections across different periods of history.
From the Early Years, where children begin exploring past and present in their own lives, through to KS1 and KS2, where they study significant events, civilisations and individuals, our aim is to nurture thoughtful, confident young historians. Educational visits, themed days and enrichment opportunities further bring learning to life.
We are committed to inclusion and ensure that all children can access and enjoy History through adaptive teaching, visual supports, vocabulary pre‑teaching and scaffolded tasks. Assessment is ongoing and used to inform teaching, celebrate progress and ensure every child achieves success.
Through engaging lessons, high expectations and a strong sense of curiosity, we strive for all pupils to leave St Mary’s with a secure understanding of the past and a lifelong interest in History.