History

Rationale for History Curriculum

At Burfield Academy, our History curriculum is designed to inspire a curiosity and fascination with the past that will remain with pupils throughout their lives. Our school's history curriculum provides pupils with an understanding of how significant events, individuals, and cultures have shaped the world over time. By studying different periods, from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 6, children gain a coherent knowledge of Britain’s past and that of the wider world.

The curriculum is designed to help pupils understand chronology, historical events' impact, and societies' development. By exploring key themes such as conflict, power, and cultural change, pupils are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and connect the past and the present. We aim to help them appreciate the complexities of people's lives, the process of change, and the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups.

A cornerstone of our curriculum is its commitment to developing pupils' historical enquiry skills. By engaging with primary and secondary sources, pupils learn to analyse evidence, understand differing interpretations of history, and construct their own arguments. We also place a strong emphasis on British values, ensuring that pupils recognise the importance of democracy, justice, and equality in shaping both historical and modern society.

Cross-curricular links are integral to our approach. Connections to geography, PSHE, and literacy help pupils deepen their understanding of historical content. The curriculum also includes local history studies, enabling children to develop a sense of identity and pride in their community's past.