History is all around us. At King Street Primary School, we believe it is vital that children should have a coherent knowledge and understanding of the history of the local area, Britain’s past and that of the wider world,, so they can have a better understanding of the society in which they live and that of the wider world, both past and present.
Our History curriculum gives children the opportunity to examine, interpret and evaluate a variety of sources in order to make deductions about the past. The children are exposed to a range of written sources to develop their love for reading whilst enriching their vocabulary. They are taught to think and behave as historians and archaeologists. Our curriculum provides children with opportunities to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. Through the teaching of History, we endeavour to teach children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.We believe that teaching History in this way is important in broadening children’s horizons, challenging preconceived ideas and developing life skills in order to prepare them for secondary school and beyond.
History plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children, encouraging children to be tolerant and respectful of difference, and promote self-confidence and clear communication skills in sharing their own opinions and listening to others. It allows us to further expand the children’s understanding of British Values that have developed through time and influential people who have shaped the world in which they live today.
Our curriculum is enhanced not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of primary and secondary sources, themed days, visitors, drama and educational visits to foster curiosity and a life-long love of History. Our curriculum topics are planned to include raise the profile of chronology and raise the profile of local history - in Spennymoor and further afield in County Durham and the North-East.
