History

At St Josephs, we aim for a high quality history curriculum which inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the chronology of Britain and how it has influenced and been influenced by the wider world; know and understand about significant aspects of the history of the wider world like ancient civilisations and empires; changes in living memory and beyond living memory; learn about the lives of significant people of the past; understand the methods of historical enquiry and be able to ask and answer questions. We want children to enjoy and love learning about history by gaining this knowledge and skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of fieldwork and educational visits.

By the time our pupils leave St Joseph’s we want them to be skilled with the ability to think critically about history and communicate ideas confidently to a range of audiences; support, evaluate and challenge their own and others’ views using historical evidence from a range of sources; to think, reflect, debate, discuss and evaluate the past by formulating and refining questions and lines of enquiry; respect for historical evidence and the ability to make critical use of it to support their learning. As such they will be able to act as historians.

“Things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” Psalm 78: 3-4

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in history, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. History is taught weekly, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. At St Josephs, we ensure that history has the same importance given to it as the core subjects, as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences. For example, using the local area to look at how buildings have changed in Key Stage 1, to comparing the similarities and differences in environments and communities in Lower Key Stage 2, through to looking at an in depth study of the locality in Upper Key Stage 2.

The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at St Josephs are equipped with historical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about history, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.

History Trips and Visits in 2023-24

This year our pupils have been very lucky to have some fantastic opportunities to enhance their learning in History. 

• Linked to their work on the history of flight Year 2 spent the day at Bournemouth Aviation Museum to get hands on with different types of aeroplanes from modern history.

• In Year 3, children started the year with a visit to Cranborne Ancient Technology centre to explore all things Stone Age to kick-start their Historical learning with a bang. In the Spring term they also welcomed an Egyptian Queen (AKA Jo) into school for an Ancient Egyptian workshop to support and enhance their learning in an engaging, immersive and interactive day. 

• In the Spring term Year 5 visited Upton Country Park for a session to support their learning on the Romans. They learned how they marched and defended themselves in battle! 

Upcoming visits

• Year 1 will be visiting Beaulieu Motor Museum to see first hand how transport has changed over time.