At Sir John Heron, we aim to foster an understanding of the past and its influence on the present, as well as to instil an appreciation for the diverse cultural, social, and political histories that have shaped societies. The focus is on introducing children to historical concepts, such as chronology, change and continuity, and cause and effect. By studying history, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, allowing them to examine past events and consider their relevance to modern life. Additionally, history at our school aims to cultivate a sense of identity and belonging, helping children understand their role in the broader narrative of history as well as ensuring our students gain a coherent and chronological understanding of British and world history. This emphasises the significance of historical context and connections. This foundation is not only designed to develop knowledge of key historical events but also to promote empathy, respect for others, and a sense of responsibility in shaping the future.

At Sir John Heron, history teaching and learning are often implemented through a combination of storytelling, immersion, and hands-on experiences. Teachers may use timelines, visual aids and primary sources like photographs or artefacts to engage students in understanding historical events. In our school, we have dedicated artefact boxes for each topic taught across the history curriculum. These boxes also contain fiction and non-fiction books related to the topic to inspire reading across the curriculum. Our curriculum includes topics such as local history, national history and the history of different cultures, with a focus of making content relatable to students’ lives. We aim to make our learning immersive for our students by engaging in role play, group discussions and debates, project work, and visits to historical sites and museums as well as themed days. This helps bring topics to life and allows students to have memorable experiences. We encourage an inclusive and dynamic learning environment to foster curiosity and critical questioning. Our goal is to create a comprehensive and engaging experience that helps students connect with the past in meaningful ways. We also aim to provide children with cross curricular opportunities, to contextualise their learning in different ways. Regular assessment strategies, including formative assessments and project presentations, are employed to track students' progress. Feedback is constructive, encouraging self-reflection and enabling students to articulate their understanding and areas for improvement.

The impact of history teaching can be profound, shaping students' understanding of the world around them and their place within it. It helps our students understand how the world around them came to be, and the influences that shaped the way we live our lives today. Another important outcome is the development of critical thinking skills, as our students learn to analyse historical events, evaluate sources and form reasoned conclusions. History education also promotes cultural awareness and empathy, as our children explore different perspectives and experiences. This can lead to greater tolerance and understanding in a diverse society, especially as we are living in a diverse city. On a broader scale, learning about the successes and failures of the past can inspire students to think critically about current issues and challenges. Ultimately, history teaching fosters informed and engaged members of our local community who are capable of understanding the complexities of the world and contributing positively to society. When collecting feedback by using pupil voice, it demonstrates our pupils’ confidence when discussing historical concepts and their enjoyment of the curriculum. This fosters a sense of ownership in their learning journey.