To help children understand the present in the context of the past.

A. INTRODUCTION

This policy outlines the teaching, organisation and management of History taught and learnt at Arnold Junior School. The policy has been drawn up as a result of staff consultation. The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all the teaching staff.

AIMS

Our aim is to ensure that all children are taught the study of History as specified in our Scheme of work.
Our aims in teaching History are:
• To help children understand the present in the context of the past
• To arouse interest in the past and encourage questioning and speculation
• To foster a sense of identity and an increased understanding of pupils’ own position in their own community and the world
• To foster an understanding of various cultural backgrounds
• To contribute to children’s knowledge of how societies and people have developed over time
• To promote the skills of argument, hypothesis, chronology, sequencing, awareness of points of view, observation, evaluation, research, comparison, deduction and role-play
• To enrich and support other areas of the curriculum
• To prepare pupils for adult life by helping them to understand the nature of the society in which we live

OBJECTIVES

We will achieve these aims by the following objectives:
• Pupils will study everyday life and the culture of people in the past and make comparisons with their own lives and experiences
• Pupils will compare a range of historical events to gain knowledge of change and the evolution of life styles
• Pupils will be given an understanding of chronology
• Pupils will recognise that some things change and others remain the same
• Pupils will be made aware that historical events often have more than one cause and consequence

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are committed to providing a teaching environment conducive to learning. Each child is
valued, respected and challenged regardless of ability, race, gender, religion, social
background, culture or disability.

B. TEACHING HISTORY

Teaching time
History is taught in each year group. The lessons will last for about 1 hour per week.

Foundation stage
Please see Foundation Stage Handbook.

Class Organisation
From Year 1, all pupils will have regular History lessons. Within these lessons there will be a
good balance between whole-class work, group teaching and individual work.

Out-of-class work and homework
The regular History lesson will provide opportunities for children to practise and consolidate their skills and knowledge, to develop and extend their techniques and strategies, and to prepare for their future learning. These may be extended through out-of-class activities (visitors, Grandparents’ Day, trips to museums and historical sites) or homework. These activities will be short and focused and will be referred to and valued in future lessons (See Homework Policy).

Links between History and other subjects
History contributes to many subjects within the primary curriculum and opportunities will be sought to draw experience out of a wide range of activities, including fieldwork. This will allow children to begin to appreciate and understand History in real contexts.

C. SCHOOL AND CLASS ORGANISATION

How we cater for pupils who are more able
Where possible more able pupils will be taught with their own class and stretched through differentiated group work and extra challenges. When working with the whole class, teachers will direct some questions towards the more able to maintain their involvement. Very occasionally special arrangements will be made for an exceptionally gifted pupil e.g. they may follow an individualised programme with more challenging problems to tackle.

How we cater for pupils with particular needs
The regular History lesson is appropriate for almost all pupils. Teachers will involve all pupils through differentiation.

Pupils with special educational needs and individual education plans
Teachers will aim to include all pupils fully in their History lessons. All children benefit from participating and watching and listening to other children demonstrating and explaining their ideas. However a pupil whose difficulties are severe or complex may need to be supported with an individualised programme in the main part of the lesson.

Resources
History resources are at present stored in individual teacher’s classrooms and with the co-ordinator. A list of resources is available and will be constantly updated.

Information and Communication Technology
ICT will be used in various ways to support teaching and motivate children's learning. ICT will involve the computer, and audio-visual aids. ICT will only be used in History lessons when it is the most efficient and effective way of meeting the lesson objectives.

Assessment
Assessment will take place at three connected levels: short-term, medium-term and long-term. These assessments will be used to inform teaching in a continuous cycle of planning, teaching and assessment. Short-term assessments will be an informal part of every lesson to check pupils’
understanding and give information, which will help teachers to adjust day-to-day lesson plans. Medium-term assessments will take place after each unit from the Scheme of Work has been completed. Long-term assessments could take place towards the end of the school year to assess and review pupils' progress and attainment. Teachers will also draw upon their class record of attainment against key objectives and supplementary notes and knowledge about their class to produce a summative record. Accurate information will then be reported to parents and the child's next teacher.

D MANAGEMENT OF HISTORY

Role of the Co-ordinator

Key Stage 1 Mrs Lawson, KS2 Mrs Briggs

• Ensure teachers are familiar with the policy and help them plan lessons
• Lead by example in the way History is taught in own classroom
• Prepare, organise and lead INSET with support from Headteacher
• Work co-operatively with the Learning Support teacher
• Observe colleagues from time to time with a view to identifying support they need
• Attend INSET
• Inform parents
• Discuss regularly with Headteacher the progress of implementing the policy in the school
• Prepare, evaluate and update the policy and Scheme of Work
• Organise, monitor, review, order and maintain resources.

Role of the Head of Section
To liaise with the co-ordinator and staff to ensure continuity across the Key Stages.

Role of the Headteacher
• Lead, manage and monitor the implementation of this policy, including monitoring teaching plans and the quality of teaching in classrooms
• Keep the governing body informed about the changes to this policy
• Ensure that History remains a high profile in the school's development work
• Deploy support staff to maximise support for this policy

end

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