History
Welcome back to the new school year!
Our teachers are excited to share engaging and inspiring History lessons with all our classes. This term, children will be exploring different periods of the past and learning about the people and events that have shaped our world. Some classes will be investigating fascinating questions such as ‘How am I making History’, ‘How was school different in the past’, 'Were the Vikings raiders, traders or something else?' and ‘Would you prefer to have lived in the Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age?’.
Key Vocabulary, Concepts and Recommended Reading
Impact Statement Autumn 2025
History Impact Statement - Autumn Term 2025
Following staff feedback, the school has now begun the transition to the Kapow Primary History scheme. Initial training has taken place and teachers have started exploring planning and resources. The new scheme is intended to strengthen historical enquiry skills, improve progression across year groups, and ensure a stronger focus on disciplinary knowledge. Early feedback indicates increased confidence in lesson structure and improved opportunities for vocabulary development.
This term we have recognised key national and cultural events, including Black History Month and Armistice Day. The two-minute silence and linked learning activities continue to raise the profile of History across the school and within the wider community.
Through Votes for Schools assemblies this term, pupils explored thought-provoking questions such as ‘Can fashion teach us about Black history?’ and ‘Should people still be awarded knighthoods?’ These discussions encouraged pupils to think critically about how history influences modern society, identity, and culture. Pupils were able to reflect on historical legacy, representation, and equality, while developing their ability to express opinions and respect differing viewpoints.
The Autumn Term data shows:
|
KS2 |
KS1 |
Reception |
|
|
EXS or above |
70.1% |
76.4% |
55.3% |
|
GD |
6.1% |
5.5% |
-- |
Next Steps
-Continue to embed the Kapow Primary History scheme across all year groups and evaluate impact on outcomes and skills progression.
-Ensure all staff are using Knowledge Organisers at the start of each unit.
-Develop the use of assessment.
Impact Statement Summer 2025
History Impact Statement - Summer Term 2025
As a school, we have made the strategic decision to adopt a new History scheme, Kapow, to ensure high-quality teaching across all year groups. This change supports our commitment to delivering a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum that builds historical knowledge and skills progressively. The Kapow scheme aligns with national curriculum objectives, promotes deeper historical understanding, and ensures consistency in planning, delivery, and assessment. We are confident this new approach will enhance pupil engagement, strengthen subject knowledge, and improve outcomes across the school. The History curriculum has been fully transitioned to the new Kapow History scheme. All associated documentation has been reviewed and updated accordingly. These updated documents are now available on the curriculum page, ensuring everything is ready for the full rollout in September.
This term, we have commemorated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and celebrated Windrush Day, where pupils marked the occasion by wearing vibrant colours, honouring the contributions, resilience, and heritage of those involved in this historic event.
As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting historical understanding and critical thinking, we have integrated Votes for Schools assemblies into our History provision. These sessions have given pupils the opportunity to engage with key questions such as “Should you learn about VE Day?” and “Should we learn more about the experiences of refugees?” Through these discussions, pupils have explored multiple perspectives, deepened their understanding of historical events, and made connections to current issues. This approach has strengthened their critical thinking skills and encouraged thoughtful debate, supporting our goal of delivering a rich, inclusive, and reflective History curriculum.
As part of our focus on raising aspirations, the subject lead delivered an assembly highlighting the importance of history in understanding the world and shaping the future. Pupils learned how studying history develops critical thinking, curiosity, and an appreciation of different perspectives. The assembly also explored how history can lead to a wide range of careers—from archaeology and law to journalism and education—helping pupils see the relevance of history beyond the classroom.
The subject lead attended the Leading Primary History course to support their role in developing the history curriculum. The training focused on strengthening subject leadership, ensuring progression, and enhancing the use of historical enquiry and sources.
The Summer Term data shows:
|
KS2 |
KS1 |
Reception |
Nursery |
|
|
EXS or above |
74.4% |
77.6% |
92.9% |
50% |
|
GD |
18.6% |
8.6% |
- |
- |
Next Steps
-Monitor and support teachers with the implementation of new History curriculum.
-Collect pupil voice
-Organise Black History Month
-History action plan to include school priorities.
Impact Statement Spring 2025
History Impact Statement - Spring Term 2025
As a school we continue to use the ‘Rising Stars History Scheme’, however as a staff we have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the scheme. We believe that effective history teaching requires building "layers of knowledge" that enable students to connect facts, contexts, and disciplinary methods which the current scheme is not providing for our pupils. After researching other History schemes of work, we have undertaken a trial of the Kapow History Scheme, where teachers were able to teach a lesson using the online tools, resources and lesson plans. As a staff we will come together at the beginning of the Summer Term to give feedback and comments regarding the Kapow History Scheme.
This term we have commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day, by upper KS2 exploring what the Holocaust was and discussed people who were impacted by genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
The Spring Term data shows:
|
KS2 |
KS1 |
Reception |
Nursery |
|
|
EXS or above |
75.2% |
82.8% |
78.6% |
57.1% |
|
GD |
16.8% |
5.2% |
- |
- |
Next Steps
-Gather staff feedback on the trial scheme.
-Determine if changing scheme or remain with the current scheme.
-Implementation of the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and ensure showcased on the curriculum page and Facebook page.
-Continue to monitor and support teachers with the implementation of the History curriculum
-Collect pupil voice