History

History Vision Statement

“Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell us the past events, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome, or tell us the future.” - Isaiah 41:22

At St. Peter’s, our History curriculum is rooted in enquiry, reflection, and awe. We believe that understanding the past helps children make sense of the present and imagine a better future. Through exploring real people, events, and cultures, children are encouraged to reflect on their own identity, values, and beliefs in light of what has come before.

Intent

Our curriculum fosters curiosity about the past and encourages children to ask meaningful questions. We aim to develop critical thinkers who can evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions, and understand the complexity of historical events. By connecting history to children’s own lives and communities, we help them appreciate their heritage and the diversity of human experience.

Implementation

• Enquiry-based learning is central, allowing children to explore ‘big questions’ and form their own hypotheses.
• Children investigate artefacts, sources, and stories to develop a sense of wonder and connection to the past.
• The curriculum highlights the achievements, courage, and resilience of past societies, inspiring awe and admiration.
• Pupils reflect on beliefs, religions, and rituals across time, engaging in thoughtful discussion and debate.
• Creativity is encouraged through role play, models, timelines, artwork, and pupil-led enquiry maps.

Impact

We assess impact through pupil voice, questioning, book looks, and observation of historical thinking. By the end of their time at St. Peter’s, children will:

• Understand key historical events, people, and periods with depth and accuracy.
• Ask thoughtful questions and use evidence to support their ideas.
• Show empathy and respect for different cultures and perspectives.
• Reflect on how the past shapes identity, society, and faith.
• Express their learning creatively and confidently through a range of media.