History
Curriculum
At St Paulinus, History enables children to understand the story of Britain, Europe and the wider world, recognising how past events shape the present. Our curriculum is coherent, connected and cumulative: pupils build knowledge of chronology, events, people and places in a carefully sequenced order. From learning about familiar family histories in EYFS to exploring ancient civilisations, the medieval world, and modern history in KS2, children revisit and deepen their understanding of key historical themes such as leadership, conflict, power, settlement and culture. Over time, they learn to think critically, evaluate evidence and appreciate multiple perspectives – developing disciplinary skills that help them act as historians.
Vocabulary
Historical vocabulary is introduced explicitly and revisited in context. Pupils build secure knowledge of terms such as chronology, primary source, civilisation, monarchy, empire, democracy, invasion and revolution. This precise language enables children to ask historical questions, construct explanations and engage in debates with confidence and accuracy.
Implementation
History is taught through enquiry questions that encourage curiosity and critical thinking. Lessons balance substantive knowledge (what happened) with disciplinary knowledge (how we know and interpret the past). Pupils study a mix of local, national and global history, making connections across time periods and cultures. Retrieval activities strengthen long-term memory, while timelines and maps help embed chronological understanding. Teachers use artefacts, primary sources and high-quality texts to bring history alive, and children are given opportunities to present their learning through writing, discussion and creative outcomes.
Click below to view our History Long Term Overview:
