History
Exploring the past, uncovering stories and understanding the world we live in today!
At Oxley Primary School, we want every child to develop a genuine curiosity about the past and an excitement for discovering the people, places and events that have shaped our world. History is about much more than remembering dates and facts. It is about uncovering fascinating stories, asking important questions and understanding how the lives of people who came before us connect to our own.
Our History curriculum follows the Kapow Primary mixed-age scheme, providing a carefully sequenced, enquiry-led approach that brings history to life. Through engaging lessons, practical activities and opportunities to investigate historical evidence, children develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to think and work like historians.
Bringing History to Life
We believe that the best way to understand history is to become curious about it. Our lessons encourage children to investigate the past, explore different interpretations and discover how historians use evidence to piece together the stories of people and civilisations.
Children develop their historical understanding through five important areas: topic knowledge, chronological awareness, substantive concepts, disciplinary concepts and historical enquiry.
These skills are carefully developed throughout their time at Oxley, helping children build a secure understanding of the past while making meaningful connections between different periods, people and events.
From examining photographs and artefacts to exploring historical accounts, timelines and other sources, children learn to question what they discover, recognise that evidence can be interpreted in different ways and explain their own conclusions.
Our Journey Through History
Our youngest historians begin by exploring the past through experiences that are familiar and meaningful to them. In Key Stage 1, children investigate their own personal histories, discover how toys and schools have changed over time, and learn about significant people and events, including the fascinating story of how humans learnt to fly. These early enquiries help children understand the difference between past and present and recognise how life changes over time.
As children move into Lower Key Stage 2, their historical adventures take them further back in time and across the world. They investigate how children's lives have changed throughout history, uncover the beliefs and achievements of the ancient Egyptians and explore the remarkable civilisation of the ancient Maya. Through other enquiries, children also discover Britain's prehistoric past, the Roman invasion and the changes brought about by Anglo-Saxon settlement.
In Upper Key Stage 2, children deepen their understanding of increasingly complex historical events and societies. They investigate whether the Vikings were simply raiders or something more, discover what life was like in Tudor England and explore the impact of the Second World War on the people of Britain. Children also examine historical records, significant civilisations and the lasting influence of people and events on the modern world.
Throughout these enquiries, children develop a stronger sense of chronology, learning how historical periods connect, overlap and influence one another.
Thinking Like Historians
At Oxley, we want children to understand not only what happened in the past, but also how we know and why it matters.
Historical enquiry is at the heart of our curriculum. Children are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, investigate evidence, consider different viewpoints and communicate their findings with increasing confidence.
As they progress through school, they develop an understanding of important historical concepts, including cause and consequence, change and continuity, similarity and difference, and historical significance.
They learn that history is not always straightforward. Different sources can tell different stories, evidence may be incomplete and our understanding of the past can change as new discoveries are made.
By developing these skills, children become more confident in forming their own interpretations, explaining their reasoning and supporting their ideas with evidence.
Understanding People, Cultures and Communities
History provides wonderful opportunities for children to discover the rich diversity of human experiences. Through studying different societies, cultures, beliefs and significant individuals, children develop a greater appreciation of how people have lived, worked and influenced the world across time.
We encourage children to consider the experiences of different groups, recognise the importance of multiple perspectives and understand how historical events have shaped the communities and societies we know today.
Our lessons also provide opportunities to reflect on important themes such as power, equality, migration, conflict and human progress, helping children make thoughtful connections between the past and the present.
Building Knowledge That Lasts
Our curriculum is carefully organised so that children's historical knowledge grows as they move through school. Important concepts and skills are revisited in different contexts, allowing children to strengthen their understanding and make connections with previous learning.
Through discussion, storytelling, practical investigations, timelines and historical sources, children are encouraged to remember, question and apply what they have learnt.
Our Oxley values of ‘Be Kind’, ‘Be Brilliant’ and ‘Have an I can attitude’ are reflected in the way children approach their historical enquiries. We encourage them to be inquisitive, open-minded and respectful of different perspectives, while developing the confidence to challenge ideas and explain their thinking.
By the time children leave Oxley in Year 6, we want them to have developed a broad understanding of Britain's past and significant world civilisations, alongside the knowledge and skills to investigate historical questions independently.
Above all, we want our children to leave Oxley as curious, thoughtful and enthusiastic young historians who understand that the past has shaped our present and can help us make sense of our future.