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History

Curriculum overview

At Joy Lane Primary School, we help our pupils to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past, together with the past of the wider world. We foster our children’s curiosity to know more about the past, understand their roots and equip them to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and justified judgements.

 

               

          

 

History helps us to understand the complexities of people’s lives, the process of forced change and natural evolution, the diversity and multifaceted nature of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as our own identities and challenge of our time. Our aim is to work collaboratively with our children to encourage them to become ‘History Detectives’ using both primary and secondary sources, developing their enquiry and questioning skills to draw their own conclusions. We adopt an imaginative and creative curriculum, exploring both the treasures our local area and community offer us, including investigating how Whitstable has changed over time, comparisons of local castles (Whitstable, Leeds and Dover) and Whitstable during World War II. Our enquiry extends to the exploration and examination of national events and changes, including the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II, the changing society of England throughout World War II, Victorian invention and Viking raids and Saxon settlements. It then stretches worldwide to include crime and punishment through the ages and an examination of the great civilisations - Egyptians, Romans, Mayans and Ancient Greece. When appropriate, members of the local community are invited to share their experiences with the children. Following the investigation of historical sources and evidence, the children are then able to extend their historical understanding and thinking beyond what is taught in order to compare their new knowledge with their own life experiences.  

 

    

World and British History for Kids - Homework help brings history alive with easy to read information and photographs on many homework topics including Tudors, Victorians, Romans
Woodlands Resources

BBC Bitesize - KS2 History learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers organised by topic.
KS2 History

Primary Topic Websites - short list of websites that may possibly be useful for topics.
Historical Association

History/Geography - This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life. 
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-chin

British Museum - This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com