History at Hallwood Park Primary School
At Hallwood Park Primary School, we believe that History plays a vital role in pupils’ personal development and understanding of the world around them. In our context, where many pupils have limited experiences beyond their immediate community, History is essential in broadening horizons, developing cultural awareness and building the knowledge needed to understand the wider world.
Through precise vocabulary, rich storytelling and structured enquiry, pupils develop both substantive knowledge (what happened in the past) and disciplinary skills (how we know about the past). Pupils learn to ask questions, interpret evidence, make connections and communicate their understanding clearly.
Our curriculum ensures that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, are supported to access ambitious historical content. It promotes curiosity, critical thinking and an appreciation of diversity, preparing pupils for life in modern Britain.
Early Years Foundation Stage
In EYFS, History is delivered through the Understanding the World area of learning. Children begin to develop an early understanding of time, change and their own personal history.
Pupils begin to:
- talk about their own lives, families and experiences
- understand simple chronology (e.g. first, next, then)
- recognise differences between past and present through stories
- explore how people, places and roles change over time
- develop early historical vocabulary such as past, present, old, new
Learning is rooted in storytelling, talk and play, developing curiosity and the language needed for future learning.
Key Stage 1 – Building Foundations for Historical Thinking
At Hallwood Park, History in Key Stage 1 is carefully structured to prepare pupils for the knowledge-rich Opening Worlds curriculum in Key Stage 2.
Pupils develop:
Historical knowledge
- understanding of past and present and changes within living memory
- knowledge of significant individuals, events and aspects of local history
- awareness of how people lived in different periods
Historical skills
- sequencing events and developing a sense of chronology
- identifying similarities and differences
- asking simple historical questions
- using sources such as pictures, artefacts and stories
- beginning to distinguish between fact and fiction
Teaching is highly scaffolded and vocabulary-rich, ensuring all pupils build the knowledge and language required to access more complex historical study.
Key Stage 2 – Opening Worlds Curriculum
In Key Stage 2, History is taught through the Opening Worlds curriculum, which provides a coherent, knowledge-rich and enquiry-led approach.
The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build deep, connected understanding of civilisations, empires and historical periods over time. Pupils revisit and deepen key concepts such as civilisation, empire, migration, monarchy, democracy, continuity and change.
Knowledge and Skills Development
Pupils develop:
Historical knowledge
- secure understanding of chronology across periods and civilisations
- knowledge of significant events, individuals and societies from British and world history
- understanding of how societies develop, interact and influence one another
Historical skills
- analysing and interpreting historical sources
- understanding cause and consequence
- comparing similarities and differences across time and place
- constructing informed responses and historical arguments
- making connections between periods and themes
Reading and Writing in History
Reading and writing are central to learning in History at Hallwood Park, particularly in Key Stage 2.
Pupils:
- engage with high-quality texts to build background knowledge and deepen understanding
- develop fluency in reading complex historical material, including sources and narratives
- are explicitly taught subject-specific vocabulary to support comprehension and expression
- use structured discussion to rehearse ideas before writing
- produce extended written responses, explaining, analysing and evaluating historical concepts
This ensures that pupils not only gain historical knowledge but also develop the literacy skills needed to access the wider curriculum.
Impact
Through this carefully sequenced approach, pupils at Hallwood Park:
- develop a secure and connected understanding of the past
- gain the knowledge needed to understand the world beyond their immediate experience
- become confident in discussing and writing about historical ideas
- show curiosity, respect and understanding of different cultures and societies