What History looks like at St. Laurence
Click here to view the St Laurence History curriculum booklet
The purpose of our history curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world, its history and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our children will be taught about various historical events and famous historical figures, some of which have shaped the world today, a commitment that is demonstrated in our class names – each a famous historical figure with links to Ramsgate.
St Laurence Historians leave us with:
• Chronological understanding
• Wide Vocabulary
• The ability to question historical events
• Knowledge of how to research and enquire
At the end of KS2, St. Laurence children are equipped with historical skills and knowledge and through their learning, pupils will acquire the ability to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, examine arguments and develop perspective.
Each term, teachers plan well thought out lessons based around an overarching Enquiry Question. Cross-Curriculum links are made between History, Geography, Science, English and a range of other subjects with opportunities to incorporate their topic into other lessons wherever appropriate, for example:
• Year 4 – Vikings are taught not only through Geography but high-quality Literacy lessons are delivered based on 'How to train your dragon' by Cressida Cowell.
• Year 5 –Ancient Egypt is taught in History and the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb is used to write a diary entry in Literacy.
The focus is put on teaching the children key historical concepts while increasing their historical knowledge, not only about the UK’s past but our local heritage. This enables the children to have a deeper understanding of not only the world but the community they live in.
As well as weekly lessons, we enrich our curriculum with theme days (VE Day), trips and visits (Dover museum, Kent Life, Ramsgate tunnels) and practical tasks (mummifying tomatoes, archaeological dig, making Egyptian bread) in school. We make the most of every opportunity, with these occasions being a highlight of the children’s year, they prove to be great ‘hooks’ into their learning.
We work alongside other schools (AQUILLA collaboration) to share best practices and enhance the teaching and learning of history. We aim as a collaboration to develop skills through EYFS to KS4. We meet regularly to discuss best practices and ideas. Through all of our lessons, we intend to inspire our children to develop a love of history and to understand how it has shaped the world around them.
