History has always been held in high regard at Milby Primary School.  We aim to stimulate pupils’ curiosity so that they can be creative thinkers who develop a complex knowledge of both local and national history and the history of the wider world.  Our pupils are encouraged to develop the confidence to think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop perspective and judgement.

Through our history topics (which are informed by the national curriculum) we aim to build an awareness of significant events and individuals in global, British and local history and recognise the interconnections between different periods and regions.  History will support pupils to appreciate the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and the relationships between different groups.  Studying history allows pupils to appreciate the many reasons why people may behave in the way they do, supporting pupils to develop empathy for others while providing an opportunity to learn from mankind’s past mistakes.  Our learning aims to support pupils in building a secure sense of chronology in each year group, making connections over periods of time, understanding the complexities of societies and the diversity of human experience.

We aim to develop pupils’ understanding of how historians study the past and construct accounts and gain the skills to carry out their own historical enquiries.  By becoming critical thinkers, our pupils will learn how to think critically about historical evidence, understanding how interpretations of the past are constructed and contested.  Analytical skills will be developed through the evaluation of primary and secondary sources, fostering an understanding of bias, perspective, and reliability.

In order to prepare pupils for future learning, we aim to introduce them to key substantive concepts including power, invasion, settlement and migration, empire, civilisation, religion, trade, achievements of mankind, society and culture.

Milby's history curriculum has been designed to inspire a lifelong interest in history through engaging and varied teaching approaches, including the use of stories, artefacts, enrichment opportunities, and technology.  We have created an inclusive curriculum that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our students and encourages them to see themselves as part of the ongoing historical narrative.