Intent
At Peaslake Free School, our History curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning about the past, in alignment with our school’s core values: kindness, collaboration, resilience, respect, and curiosity. Through engaging topics, we aim to nurture pupils as thoughtful, inquisitive learners who appreciate the richness of history whilst developing an understanding of how the past shapes the present and future.
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Our History curriculum encompasses the three key areas of development that are integral to Peaslake’s overall Curriculum ethos:
Vocabulary Development
We prioritise the acquisition of rich and precise historical vocabulary to enable pupils to articulate their understanding with clarity and confidence. From early stages, children are introduced to key terms and concepts equipping them with the language necessary to explore and discuss historical events and themes critically. We believe vocabulary supports children’s broader literacy skills, empowering them to engage and express themselves effectively.
Diversity
The History curriculum at Peaslake celebrates the diversity of society, both past and present. Pupils explore the history of communities and individuals, fostering an appreciation of different perspectives and experiences. By examining the lives of people from various backgrounds, including those often underrepresented in traditional historical narratives, we aim to develop empathy and a deep respect for the complexity and richness of human experience.
Outdoor Learning
Peaslake’s unique location in the Surrey Hills provides a perfect backdrop for integrating outdoor learning into History. Pupils engage with local history through hands-on exploration of the surrounding area, including visits to historical sites and fieldwork that brings the past to life. This immersive approach allows children to connect with history in a tangible way, fostering a deeper understanding of chronology and the significance of events in their own community.
Our Vision for History at Peaslake Free School
We aim to inspire pupils to think critically, ask questions, and analyse historical evidence with confidence. By studying significant events and individuals from local, national, and global contexts, children develop a broad and balanced understanding of history. The curriculum encourages pupils to appreciate the causes and consequences of events, and recognise patterns of change over time.
Our History curriculum also supports pupils in building a secure understanding of chronology, making meaningful connections across different historical periods. Through enquiry-based learning, children gain insight into how historians construct accounts of the past, developing the skills to conduct their own investigations and form evidence-based conclusions.
At Peaslake Free School, History is not just a study of the past but a means of preparing pupils to navigate the future. By cultivating curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking, we empower our children to become informed, thoughtful citizens who value collaboration, resilience, and respect in all aspects of life. Through History, we aim to help them understand not only the world they live in but also their place within it, inspiring them to learn from the past to build a better future.
Implementation
For the subject of History at Peaslake we follow a scheme of work from Kapow Primary.
For KS1 we use the mixed-age units which follow a Cycle A and Cycle B format to ensure progression of skills for children across the age range.
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The following strands run through all History units:
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Topic knowledge
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Chronological awareness
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Substantive (abstract) concepts
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Disciplinary concepts
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Historical enquiry
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Additional enrichment in recent years have included a visit to a local working archaeological dig and visiting our neighbouring iron age hill fort on Holmbury Hill.​
Impact
By the end of EYFS children will be able to:
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Finding out about the past (historical enquiry)
Ask and answer questions about the past and discuss possible answers to questions about the past.
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Chronological Understanding
Place objects, people and events beyond own experiences in time order.
Use historical terms to describe the passage of time e.g. modern, recent, long ago, older etc.
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Finding out about the past (Historical events)
Compare aspects of the present with the past and describe simple similarities and differences.
Give reasons for and describe changes that have taken place within living memory.
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By the end of KS1 children will be able to:
Finding out about the past (historical enquiry)
Compare aspects of the present with the past and describe simple similarities and differences.
Give reasons for and describe changes that have taken place within living memory.
Ask and answer questions about the past and discuss possible answers to questions about the past.
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Chronological Understanding
Talk about events, places and people beyond living memory both nationally and globally.
Place objects, people and events beyond own experiences in time order.
Use historical terms to describe the passage of time eg modern, recent, long ago, older etc.
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Finding out about the past (historical events)
Talk about events and lives of people beyond living memory. (Within own locality)
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Lifestyles of people in the past
Talk about the similarities and differences between their lives and that of others.
Describe the similarities and differences between the lives of different people.
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Significant Historical People
Talk about people who have had a significant impact on society, using a range of historical vocabulary. Nationally and internationally.
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By AndyScott - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94846127
