Intent
At St John St James, we believe history enables pupils to understand the complexity and diversity of human civilisation, develop a sense of identity and recognise their place in society.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced in line with the National Curriculum, building pupils’ chronological knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and the wider world. Through historical enquiry, pupils learn to ask questions, analyse primary and secondary sources, evaluate evidence, consider different perspectives and develop their own interpretations of the past.
We aim to develop curious, critical thinkers who understand historical change, cause and consequence, similarity and difference, significance and the diversity of human experience.
Implementation
Early Years
In Early Years, history is introduced through the Understanding the World area of learning. Children explore past and present events in their own lives, their families and the wider world.
Through photographs, objects, stories, routines and seasonal changes, children begin to recognise similarities and differences, develop an understanding of time and use language associated with the past and present.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, pupils study three history topics each year, carefully selected to reflect the National Curriculum and the diverse community we serve.
Medium-term plans and our knowledge and skills progression map ensure clear progression in historical knowledge, vocabulary and history skills. Each topic is driven by a key enquiry question, which pupils revisit throughout their learning and answer through end-of-unit assessments.
A whole-school History Journey Timeline supports pupils in placing people, events and periods within a chronological framework. Knowledge organisers introduce key vocabulary, significant events and links to prior and future learning. Retrieval activities at the beginning of lessons strengthen long-term knowledge and understanding.
Pupils develop an understanding of the past and present, use appropriate chronological language, compare ways of life and begin to explore how we find out about and represent the past.
Year 1 begins with changes within living memory, including pupils’ own lives and experiences. This progresses to significant events beyond living memory, such as the Great Fire of London and the lives of influential individuals, including Mary Seacole and Greta Thunberg. Pupils use photographs, objects and other sources to investigate the past and understand how evidence helps historians build an understanding of events.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, pupils study two in-depth history topics each year, developing a chronologically secure understanding of British, local and world history. They build coherent narratives within and across historical periods, making connections between people, events and civilisations.
Our Key Stage Two history curriculum is organised around four key concepts: government, empire, culture and belief. These concepts are revisited across different historical contexts, enabling pupils to develop a deeper understanding of how societies are organised, how they change and how they influence one another.
Through historical enquiry, pupils investigate cause and consequence, change and continuity, similarity and difference, and historical significance. They analyse a range of primary and secondary sources, consider how the past is interpreted and use evidence to develop and justify their own conclusions.
Pupils study significant periods in British history, including the Stone Age, Roman Britain, Anglo-Saxon and Viking Britain, and the Victorian era. They also explore ancient civilisations, including Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, considering their achievements and lasting influence. In Year 6, pupils study the Second World War, including the impact of the Blitz on Hackney, connecting national history with their local community.
Trips & Visits
Historical visits and workshops bring learning to life, allowing pupils to explore artefacts, places and evidence first-hand.
Locally, pupils visit St Augustine’s Tower, St John’s Church and Sutton House. We work closely with Hackney Museum, whose workshops use historical maps, photographs and artefacts to deepen pupils’ understanding of Hackney’s past.
Further visits to the London Transport Museum, Imperial War Museum and British Museum provide opportunities to enrich learning, develop historical enquiry and connect classroom knowledge with the wider world.
Impact
Through regular book looks, lesson walkthroughs and pupil voice, we monitor the impact of our history curriculum and the progression of pupils’ knowledge and skills.
Pupils demonstrate chronological understanding, confidently use historical vocabulary and make connections across periods of history. They show curiosity about the past, ask thoughtful questions, analyse evidence and develop reasoned interpretations.
Our curriculum enables pupils to leave St John St James with a coherent understanding of Britain’s past and the wider world, an appreciation of diverse historical experiences and the critical thinking skills to question, interpret and understand the world around them.
Humanities Curriculum Map
To view our History journey maps, please click on the links below:
Black History
Black British history is an integral part of both British and global history, shaped by stories of migration, settlement and cultural exchange across Britain, Africa and the Americas.
Our history curriculum reflects this, with teachers using David Olusoga’s “Black and British” to inform their subject knowledge and planning. Pupils explore the presence of Black people in Britain from Roman times onwards, learning about figures such as Mary Seacole, the Ivory Bangle Lady and soldiers from across the Empire who fought for Britain in the Second World War.
In Key Stage 2, pupils examine the British Empire, Britain’s involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the experiences of Black servicemen and women during the Second World War. They also study the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948 and the experiences and legacy of the Windrush generation, from post-war Britain to the present day.
Black History Month
At St John St James, we have a Black History Month curriculum, which is a series of history lessons that every pupil studies in the month of October. These lessons are mapped out ensuring an annual progression of knowledge, which focuses on African and Caribbean history in Key Stage 1. As they progress to Key Stage 2, children learn about Sierra Leone and Britain’s involvement in The Transatlantic Slave Trade. Each year, children also carry out a Black History Month workshop at Hackney Museum, which have previously covered themes such as hair, fashion, music and what it means to be black in the borough of Hackney.