History
At West Rainton Primary School, we are very proud of the varied history curriculum that we provide for our pupils. Within our history curriculum, we ensure that children are given opportunities to learn about a range of events from our past, ranging from ancient civilisations to modern day history. We promote a love of history and give pupils the opportunity to acquire the skills they need to become historians.
Leadership and intent of history at West Rainton
Mr Michael Neasham
As a class teacher at West Rainton Primary School and an avid historian, I am very proud to lead history in our school. I believe it is important that children learn about significant events from the past and how they have influenced life today.
Please see my mission statement as subject leader here:
Our subject map was created after consultations with staff to ensure that children’s learning in history is progressive and varied. Staff are aware of previous and future topics to make sure children have retained facts from previous topics and have the knowledge they need for future ones. Full governing body training was also carried out in Autumn 2019 in line with new curriculum guidelines.
Below are the links to view the subject policy and curriculum mapping for history:
How history is taught at West Rainton
Children at West Rainton Primary receive 60 minutes of history teaching per week. Each class has a history focus topic every term, which lasts the duration of a half term. During this topic, the children will learn about life and key characters from that period of time. Children in KS2 will also begin to think about how this period of time has influenced or changed life today as we know it. In our nursery and reception, children begin to think about events from before they were born (the lives of their grown ups at home) and understand their place in history.
All children have a history specific exercise book in which to complete their varied history activities. Having a subject specific book ensures that the children are aware of the subject they are currently working on and they know which activities are relevant to this subject.
This year, we have purchased a wide range of artefacts to be used in the classroom to enhance the teaching of history in our school. Each history topic has a designated box of artefacts to be used in the classroom alongside the relevant topic. These boxes include key images, costumes, pottery, armour, etc. (topic and age group specific). Our children have thoroughly enjoyed beginning to use these in their history lessons!
As part of our provision on offer, pupils with special educational needs are planned for very carefully in school. This is an important part of the history curriculum, as we strive to ensure that all of our pupils fully understand what they are being taught. This may involve greater explanations about what they learn, and simplified tasks to ensure that pupils with SEND gain as much as they can from the learning on offer. Our provision across the curriculum was highlighted when we were awarded the inclusive ‘Centre of Excellence’ award in late 2020. It is crucial for us that our pupils with SEND make progress, and move on from where they are in their learning journey. This provision may look very different to our other pupils, through differentiation and modification of the curriculum. Our decisions are made in consultation with the SENDCo, Mrs Firth, who advises and supports members of staff with their provision.
The impact of history at West Rainton
At West Rainton, we believe that it is essential that our children know why we teach what we do, and how these subjects can help them progress in secondary school, further education and potential career paths.
The skills learnt within the subject of history are a vital part of future life. It ensures children are aware of where they come from and how our lives today have been shaped by the past.
Particular careers where history will be beneficial include: archeologist, lawyer, genealogist, heritage manager, conservationist of historic buildings, museum curator or education officer.
