At Fittleworth Primary, the history curriculum develops children’s knowledge of historical periods, events and significant individuals. Children learn key facts and concepts alongside skills such as chronological understanding, analysis and evaluation of historical evidence, empathy with people from different eras and how to compare and contrast life in different periods.

Children’s historical learning begins in Early Years with the familiar: their own pasts and those of their families. Our curriculum is structured largely chronologically; in KS1, the children look at significant individuals from history, beginning with Samuel Pepys’ diary and an investigation into the Great Fire of London. The children then move through time, exploring British Kings and Queens (including Queen Victoria); the age of exploration at the beginning of the 20^th century and also a study of the human rights movement. The latter see children researching significant figures such as Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela. History is brought to life through a Great Fire of London experience and trips to nearby museums and locations. These help to ignite the children’s imaginations and enable them to empathise with the lives of children in different eras.

In Key Stage Two, continuing in a largely chronological order, the story of Britain is interwoven with studies of ancient civilizations. Children explore concepts of migration, empire, civilization, continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance. Immersive experiences on trips to Butser Ancient Farm, the Weald and Downland Museum, Arundel Castle, Chichester’s Novium Museum, as well as walks around the ancient Chichester walls develop children’s understanding of life in Britain in different eras. Studies of ancient civilisations of Rome, Egypt, central America and Greece are often supported by visits to the British museum. Children express their learning through drama, art, discussion and writing. Many of our units are built around an enquiry question, giving a clear focus to the learning over the course of the lessons.