"A people without the knowledge of their past history,

origin and culture is like a tree without roots."

Marcus Garvey

History

Our History curriculum has been built to allow our Gillas Lane children to develop their understanding of links between themselves and others. It provides opportunities to think like an historian, allowing children to reason and explore connections between the past and present.

 

The themes that run through our History curriculum are beliefs, settlements, food & farming, invaders, society, culture & pastimes.

Our local history units have been selected to ensure meaningful contexts for learning, encouraging pride in the local people of the past and our community. These are carefully complemented by opportunities to visit and explore historical evidence in the locality.

 

Here are our long term plans for History. 

of
Zoom:
Search:

History Progressive Milestones in Disciplinary Learning

 

Our Progressive Milestones in Disciplinary Learning contain the disciplinary knowledge needed to understand the disciplinary concepts. Our mid term planning specifies the substantive knowledge the children will learn.

 

 

Disciplinary Knowledge - how a historian thinks about and interacts with the past and present to decide upon what is 'known'; what is 'truth'; what is 'fact'; what can be 'evidenced'

Historical Evidence

  • Know that use of historical evidence is the way historians draw conclusions and answer questions about the past
  • Know that the source is the information but it is the historian who uses it as evidence to answer the question

 

Cause & Consequence

  • Know that important events or changes in history can have many different causes, some of which can be hidden from view
  • Know that each cause plays a part but some causes may be regarded as more important than others

 

Historical Significance

  • Know that some people, events or developments in the past seem particularly important
  • Know that these particularly important people, events or developments can often lead to big changes in people's lives, including how they thought or behaved

 

Time, Change & Chronology

  • Know that many things from the past are different from today; some things have changed but some are the same
  • Know that changes can take place across and within periods of history and that changes and continuity can both be present at the same time in chronologies of the past
  • Know that change can sometimes mean decline as well as progress

 

Take a look at our Progressive Milestones in Disciplinary Learning:

of
Zoom:
Search:

Substantive Knowledge

Knowledge of:

  • significant individuals, civilisations, events and individuals and how these have influenced the present
  • historical sources, both primary and secondary e.g artefacts, documents, buildings etc
  • knowledge of historical concepts, e.g beliefs, settlements, society etc

 

We focus on key themes across our History Curriculum to ensure children develop a secure understanding of History across time.

 

Beliefs

This theme helps children understand how different cultures and societies made sense of the world, shaped their values, and influenced historical events. Exploring beliefs encourages respect for diversity and deepens understanding of how ideas and traditions have impacted people's lives over time.

 

Settlements

This theme helps children explore how and why communities were formed, how people adapted to their environments, and how settlements changed over time. This theme builds understanding of human geography, social development, and historical continuity and change.

 

Food & Farming

This theme helps children understand how people in the past lived, worked, and sustained themselves. It connects everyday life to broader historical changes - like technological advances, social structures, and environmental impacts - while encouraging curiosity about where food comes from and how communities have evolved over time.

 

Invaders

This theme helps children understand how different groups influenced societies through conflict, migration, and cultural exchange. Studying invaders encourages exploration of change, resilience, and the impact of power and identity in shaping history.

 

Society, Culture & Pastimes

This theme helps children understand how people lived, what they valued, and how they expressed themselves across different times and places. It encourages empathy, curiosity, and appreciation for diversity in everyday life throughout history.

 

 

Take a look at how our key historical themes are taught across the school to deepen knowledge and understanding within History:

of
Zoom:
Search:

 

 

 

The Importance of History in the Early Years

 

History in the early years helps our children begin to understand the concept of time, change, and the world around them. At Gillas Lane, we introduce historical learning through storytelling, exploration, and meaningful connections to children's own lives and experiences. By learning about the past - whether through family traditions, old photographs, or significant events - children start to develop a sense of identity and belonging.

 

Through history, the Gillas children learn to ask questions, compare past and present, and begin to understand how people and places have changed over time. These early experiences support the development of critical thinking, language skills, and empathy. History also encourages curiosity and imagination, as our children explore different cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives.

 

By embedding history into our Early Years Curriculum, we aim to help children build a strong foundation for understanding the world, appreciating diversity, and recognising their place within a broader human story.

 

Take a look below to see what History learning looks like at Gillas Lane. You can aslo see how the skills children learn in Early Years support their learning and development as they move into Key Stage 1 and beyond.

of
Zoom:
Search:
of
Zoom:
Search:

 

 

 

History and SEND

 

History learning is especially valuable for SEND children as it offers rich opportunities to build understanding of the world in accessible and meaningful ways.

 

Through stories, artefacts, and visual resources, history can spark curiosity, support language development, and encourage empathy. It also helps SEND learners develop a sense of identity and belonging by connecting personal experiences to wider historical narratives.

 

With the right support and inclusive approaches, history can be a powerful tool for engagement, confidence, and lifelong learning.

 

of
Zoom:
Search: