History

At Smallwood, we see history as a gateway to creating critical thinkers. We want children who can raise and explore questions, interpret a range of sources, and challenge and interrogate existing evidence and points of view.

Knowledge about the past should be developed through hands-on, practical exploration of evidence and used to make links about the world they live in now. We provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum throughout the whole school, making use of our local area, the children’s own histories, as well as sites throughout London, building key historical skills through first-hand research, inquiry and interpretation. We pride ourselves on the passionate delivery of history, sharing our enthusiasm with the children and inspiring them to want to learn more about the past.

“A high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching should equip pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.”

National Curriculum, 2014