Intent

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we strive to inspire curiosity and a deep interest in the past, both in Britain and across the wider world. We believe that developing a strong chronological understanding helps children make sense of historical events, recognize change over time, and appreciate cultural diversity. By fostering an inquisitive mindset, we aim to give our pupils a sense of identity and a greater awareness of how history shapes the present.

Local history plays a key role in our curriculum, ensuring that children gain a meaningful understanding of Leyland and Lancashire’s rich historical past. Through studying significant people and events, pupils make connections between local, national and global history, deepening their appreciation of how different societies have evolved.

We encourage children to think like historians — learning to enquire, analyse sources and ask critical questions. They develop key skills in evaluating historical evidence, exploring different interpretations of the past and understanding why contrasting viewpoints exist.

We also encourage our children to talk like historians - equipping children with the vocabulary needed to explore, question and discuss their historical understanding (topic specific vocabulary is displayed on memory mats and working walls to use as a resources throughout each unit).

Implementation

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we emphasize that historical knowledge is shaped by disciplinary approaches. These key strands are embedded throughout our history curriculum, ensuring children engage in rich and meaningful learning experiences that reflect how historians study the past.

In EYFS, children begin by reflecting on their own personal history, helping them understand that everyone has a unique past. Through storytelling and discussions, they compare and contrast historical figures, introducing them to broader historical narratives.

In Key Stage 1, children develop an early awareness of the past using historical vocabulary. They study significant people and events, identifying similarities and differences between time periods. They also explore how we learn about history through sources, beginning to place events within a chronological framework.

In Key Stage 2, pupils build on their prior knowledge, developing a secure chronological understanding of British, local, and world history. They learn to identify connections, contrasts, and trends over time, using a variety of historical sources to deepen their understanding.

To support learning, we use Memory Mats, helping children scaffold their understanding of key vocabulary, facts, and concepts. Vocabulary development is a key focus across all year groups, ensuring that historical language is appropriate, relevant, and progressively built upon each year.

Carefully planned experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, enhance learning and provide memorable opportunities to engage and inspire our pupils. Through educational visits, artefact exploration, and historical role-play, we bring history to life in meaningful ways.

Impact

Our history curriculum equips children with a strong understanding of the past, enabling them to make informed connections between historical events and their own lives. Through high-quality lessons and engaging experiences, pupils develop a deep appreciation of history and its impact on the world today.

We assess the impact of our history curriculum in the following ways:

• Mid-unit assessments, such as Kahoot quizzes, to check understanding.
• End-of-unit skill and knowledge assessments to evaluate progress.
• Reflection on standards achieved against planned learning outcomes.
• Pupil discussions, allowing children to articulate their historical understanding.
• Work scrutiny and staff discussions to ensure consistency and progression across year groups.

By the time children leave Leyland Methodist Schools, they will have developed key historical skills, the ability to think critically about the past, and a lifelong curiosity about history and its significance.