History
Welcome to Springwood Primary Academy's History page!
Intent
At Springwood Junior Academy, we want our pupils to grow into curious, confident and well-rounded learners with a strong understanding of the past. Through our history curriculum, children learn about local, national and international events and people who have shaped the world we live in today. We encourage pupils to ask questions, share ideas and take part in discussion and debate. Our history lessons are designed to spark curiosity, build a love of learning and help children make sense of the world around them.
Implementation
In our early years setting, Foundations @ Springwood (F@S), history is taught through the Understanding the World area of the EYFS curriculum. Children are encouraged to talk about their own lives and experiences, such as how they have changed since they were babies. As they move into FS2, pupils begin to explore simple history-based topics. These help them to talk about events and people from the past and compare them with life today, using their own experiences as a starting point. A strong focus on communication and language development helps prepare children for future history learning.
In Key Stage One, pupils begin to learn about important events and individuals from beyond living memory, such as Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell. They also explore how everyday life has changed over time, for example by looking at how shopping has changed since the 1940s. Local history is included wherever possible so that learning feels meaningful and relevant to the children.
As pupils move into Key Stage Two, history is taught in a more chronological way. Learning begins with the Stone Age in Year 3 and continues through to World War II in Year 6. Pupils also study themes that span different time periods, such as Crime and Punishment through Time. Each year builds carefully on what has been learned before, helping pupils develop their knowledge, skills and historical vocabulary. This approach allows children to form a clear understanding of how people’s lives have changed over time, how Britain has been shaped by the past, and how it has interacted with the wider world. Pupils also learn about ancient civilisations, empires and non-European societies. Lessons are engaging and inclusive, with activities designed to challenge and support all learners. Where possible, pupils are encouraged to use reading and research to deepen their understanding. Respect for past events and people, and their lasting impact on our world, is a key part of our teaching.
Impact
The impact of our history curriculum can be seen in pupils’ work, which shows strong knowledge, understanding and progression across year groups. History learning is celebrated through displays around the school and shared with families via our website and Facebook page. Pupil feedback shows that children enjoy history lessons and are proud to talk about what they have learned, sharing their knowledge with enthusiasm and confidence.