We were delighted to have been assessed by the History Association and awarded their Gold quality mark for our outstanding History curriculum.

Here are some comments from the report:

‘The curriculum is well-designed, coherent and progressive across the school. A bespoke detailed long-term plan is designed to ensure depth of learning.’

‘planning is well sequenced to build knowledge and skills’ 

‘supporting EAL pupils is a clear strength of the school’

‘effective tracking based on valid criteria for progression is a strong feature’

‘History is extremely well managed and organised by subject leaders’

‘The whole school ethos is very much one of constant improvement, tweaking and adapting everything to make it the best it can be for each class of children.’

 

At Smithdown Primary, we believe that fostering a rich understanding of local and global history is essential in developing self-identity. We look back to explore how ancient civilisations have shaped the world and different cultures and examine significant events and eras in British history. This knowledge allows children to appreciate how a democratic and multi-cultural Britain evolved whilst developing a deep understanding of chronology.

By developing the skills of enquiry, investigation, analysis, evaluation and presentation, we aim to enable children to think as historians. We place emphasis on providing children with first-hand experiences through learning visits to historical sites and providing access to historical artefacts. We focus on helping children understand that historical events can be interpreted in different ways and children are encouraged to ask searching questions. By learning the skills to uncover the past, we believe children will be able to make informed choices for the future.

In Key Stage 1 children will develop an awareness of the past. They will learn about significant individuals who have contributed to national and international achievements. Children will also learn about significant historical events within the local area. They will also study changes within living memory as well as events beyond living memory that are nationally or globally significant such as The Great Fire of London. Their learning will be placed within a chronological framework.

In Key Stage 2 children will continue to appreciate history in a chronological context. They will develop a secure understanding of British, local and world history. In upper key stage 2 they will study Ancient Greece and the Anglo Saxons, whilst in lower key stage 2 they will study the Ancient Egyptians and the Victorians.  Children will consider connections, contrasts and trends over time and develop the appropriate use of historical terms. They will also learn to understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of different sources and spend time looking at, and dealing with, different sources.

Progression in History will be assessed through listening to children’s responses and contributions to discussions and evaluating their written work.  Please click on the links below for more details about our History curriculum.

National Curriculum for History

Whole School Curriculum Plan 2023-2024

Progression in historical skills

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History Chatter

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The History of Telling The Time for Science Week

14-03-2024

We combined science with history with our TIME topic and looked at how tools to tell the time have changed over the years. We created a timeline of discoveries and measured out our own sundials with our protractors.

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What an exciting afternoon! We had an archaeologist join us to show us artefacts from the Stone Age. We really enjoyed learning more about our topic and demonstrating all of our knowledge we have gained so far.

23-02-2024

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This superstar made a spear that may have been used in the Stone Age to hunt various animals at home.

22-02-2024

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Super visit to Calderstones and the Storybarn today! We explored how Stone Age people would have lived using the land and trees around them. We also had the chance to see the Calder Stones that were over 4,800 years old.

22-02-2024

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Expressive Collages! Titanic Art

19-02-2024

We worked hard in art today to make expressive collages of the Titanic.

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We have combined our knowledge of Palaeolithic cave art with skills and techniques acquired from Laura McKendry.

24-01-2024

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WWII Liverpool Skyline ‘The Blitz’ Scenes

18-01-2024

We created our own versions of the Liverpool skyline one night during The Blitz in World War Two.

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Using historical sources

24-11-2023

We read some accounts of evacuation during WW2, comparing content and explaining what information and evidence each source provided.

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Where did Ibn Battuta travel?

23-11-2023

We have been investigating our first explorer Ibn Battuta in Year 2. We researched the countries he visited and how he travelled today.

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What was operation Pied Piper?

17-11-2023

We have been looking at evacuation and it’s impact on children during the war – we examined some sources and discussed what they were and their intentions!

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Remembrance Day 2023

13-11-2023

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Year 2 have made remembrance poppies today

10-11-2023

2GH made some beautiful poppies to help us remember today.

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Remembrance Day

10-11-2023

For Remembrance Day, we read the poem ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ and after discussing the content, we embellished the poem with images of poppies.

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Remembrance Day

10-11-2023

We have created some beautiful poems after reading Flanders Fields and used watercolours/charcoal/pencils to create some poppy artwork to mark Remembrance Day.

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Using Henri Matisse’s style, painting with scissors, Year 3 created poppies to show their respect for all the people who have lost their lives and our thoughts for their families.

10-11-2023

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How and Why did WW2 Start?

10-11-2023

We have started our WW2 topic by exploring who was involved, how it began and why. We made a double page spread to answer our enquiry!

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4KM had a great history lesson this afternoon learning all about the Victorian classrooms…

19-10-2023

4KM had a great history lesson this afternoon learning all about the Victorian classrooms and comparing them to modern day classrooms. The children finished off the lesson with some role play of learning in a Victorian classrooom!! #smithdownhist

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What ancient Egyptians believed about death?

19-10-2023

What ancient Egyptians believed about death? We used role play to become priests that would have preserved bodies and prepared them for being buried. We washed, pulled organs out, placed the body in salt, embalmed the body and then placed it into a coffin. #smithdownhist

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Fun learning about mummification in History!

19-10-2023

This afternoon, 3KM have had so much fun learning about mummification in History! #smithdownhis #smithdownyr3

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What an exciting afternoon excavating some Ancient Egyptian artefacts!

19-10-2023

What an exciting afternoon excavating some Ancient Egyptian artefacts! We all became archaeologists and discovered things like Howard Carter. We found some things that may have belonged to Tutankhamen. ⚰️🇪🇬 #smithdownhist

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Year 3 have had fun being Archaeologists this afternoon!

19-10-2023

Year 3 have had fun being Archaeologists this afternoon! We have been using a picking tool to remove the dirt, look at what we discovered! 🤩 #smithdownhis #smithdowny3

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What a week it has been already!

19-10-2023

What a week it has been already! Year 3 children have settled in so well and demonstrated their maturity and attitude towards their work. They could remember lots of their previous learning in History. They could organise events into living memory and beyond. #smithdownhist

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