Intent

At Sunnyside Primary Academy, our history curriculum is built upon our core pillars: Aspiring for Excellence, Enriching Language and Communication, Cultivating a Strong Community, Broadening Horizons, and Building a Knowledge-Rich Foundation. We aim to foster a passion for history that instils ambition, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning. Our curriculum seeks to nurture curious thinkers who gain a deep understanding of local, national, and global history, while developing the confidence to think critically, ask thoughtful questions, and analyse historical evidence.

By engaging pupils with the past, we aim to build their knowledge of significant events, individuals, and societal changes in British and world history. As children explore these narratives, they develop an awareness of how history shapes our present, forming an appreciation for the interconnectedness of global events.

We begin by introducing children to the work of historians, allowing them to explore historical sources, challenge perspectives, and understand the nature of evidence. As they grow, they will deepen their knowledge, enhancing their ability to ask insightful questions, critically analyse sources, and form their own interpretations of historical events.

Our history curriculum is aligned with the following key aims:

• Aspiring for Excellence: Encouraging pupils to strive for excellence by actively engaging with historical narratives, honing critical thinking skills, and developing resilience in their exploration of history.

• Enriching Language and Communication: Developing history-specific vocabulary and communication skills through explicit teaching, modelling, and application in both oral and written forms. Pupils will gain the ability to express historical ideas clearly and confidently, whether through debates, discussions, or written analysis.

• Cultivating a Strong Community: Encouraging pupils to explore how different groups within society interact, building respect for diverse perspectives, and recognising the shared history that connects communities. Pupils will also engage in collaborative learning, fostering teamwork and respect for one another’s views.

• Broadening Horizons: Expanding pupils’ cultural awareness by exploring history from a global perspective, examining different civilisations, historical movements, and the influence of historical events on diverse societies. Pupils will develop an understanding of the wider world and the global impact of historical actions.

• Building a Knowledge-Rich Foundation: Providing a sequenced and coherent curriculum that ensures pupils build substantive and disciplinary knowledge year upon year. Our approach allows for deep learning, where pupils can make connections across different periods and historical contexts, strengthening their overall understanding.

Implementation

Our History curriculum follows the Primary Knowledge Curriculum (PKC), ensuring a well-sequenced, knowledge-rich approach that enables pupils to build upon their historical understanding progressively.

Structured Progression: Units are carefully sequenced to ensure knowledge of key historical events, figures, and movements is built upon from year to year. Pupils not only learn historical facts, but also develop a deep understanding of historical concepts (such as ‘empire’, ‘monarchy’, and ‘civil war’) and disciplinary practices (such as causation, evidence, and interpretation). This structured progression supports pupils in building a coherent understanding of the past while enabling them to apply their knowledge to new contexts.

Historical Inquiry and Investigation: Pupils develop essential historical enquiry skills, such as analysing sources, weighing evidence, and drawing conclusions. These skills are embedded throughout the curriculum, empowering children to think critically and form their own historical perspectives. In line with Aspiring for Excellence, this approach encourages pupils to be resilient in their analysis of complex historical issues.

Language and Communication Development: History-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught and integrated into lessons to develop pupils' ability to articulate historical ideas with clarity and precision. Pupils engage in activities such as debates, discussions, and written reflections, where they practise communicating their understanding confidently. This emphasis on Enriching Language and Communication ensures that pupils not only learn about history, but also strengthen their ability to communicate complex ideas.

Real-World Connections: Pupils explore historical events in relation to contemporary issues, helping them make meaningful connections to the world around them. We aim to broaden pupils’ horizons by examining how the past shapes current global and cultural contexts, promoting understanding of diverse perspectives. In this way, pupils also develop a sense of active citizenship, recognising their place within the broader global community.

Assessment and Knowledge Retention: Formative and summative assessments monitor pupils' understanding of key historical concepts and their ability to analyse the impact of historical events. Retrieval practice, knowledge organisers, and low-stakes quizzes are used to support knowledge retention, ensuring that pupils retain and deepen their understanding over time. This approach aligns with Building a Knowledge-Rich Foundation, ensuring that each lesson builds upon prior knowledge and fosters a deep, connected understanding.

Inclusive and Engaging Learning: Lessons are differentiated to meet the needs of all pupils, ensuring accessibility for SEND and EAL learners. We celebrate the diversity within our classroom and history itself by providing enrichment opportunities such as educational visits and guest speakers, enhancing the engagement and curiosity of all pupils. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of community and shared learning.

Impact

The impact of our history curriculum is assessed based on the depth of knowledge pupils retain, their ability to think critically, and their preparedness for the next stage of their education. We expect to see:

• Pupils demonstrating a secure understanding of key historical concepts, confidently articulating their knowledge and reasoning.

• The ability to apply historical enquiry skills in both practical and theoretical contexts, drawing informed conclusions from evidence.

• Strong historical vocabulary and communication, with pupils able to explain and justify their historical perspectives clearly.

• High levels of engagement and curiosity, with pupils developing a lifelong interest in history and understanding its relevance to the present.

• A positive impact on disadvantaged pupils, ensuring equity in their access to a high-quality history education and providing opportunities for all pupils to aspire to excellence.

• Pupils recognising the global and local significance of historical events and understanding their implications for contemporary society and their potential career pathways.

• A curriculum that supports academic progress, providing pupils with the historical knowledge and skills needed for success in secondary education and beyond.

Through this approach, history at Sunnyside Primary Academy will foster a deep appreciation for the discipline, enabling pupils to think critically, analyse evidence, and formulate their own informed perspectives of the world. They will leave with a strong sense of historical understanding and a lifelong passion for learning.